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Guide
The Cafcass safeguarding call
In short
- Before the first hearing, Cafcass (Cafcass Cymru in Wales) checks for any safety risks.
- They run police and local authority checks, then speak to each parent by phone, usually for 20 to 40 minutes.
- What you say goes into a short letter to the court, which you'll see before the hearing.
- Be honest, calm, and keep coming back to your children's needs.
Who Cafcass are
Cafcass (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) is independent of the court and of both parents. Its family court advisers are usually qualified social workers. Their job is to put the children's welfare first and advise the court, not to take sides.
What happens
- Checks. Cafcass asks the police and children's services whether they have any information about the family.
- A phone call with each parent. You'll usually get a call or a message to book one. Answer it. If you miss it, call back quickly.
- The safeguarding letter. Cafcass writes to the court summarising the checks, what each parent said, any risks, and what they recommend next. This is often sent to both parents shortly before the first hearing.
In Child Focused Court areas, Cafcass does more work at the start and writes a fuller Child Impact Report instead. See Your first hearing.
What they'll ask you
- About you, who you live with, and your work and routine
- About the children: their ages, school, health and any special needs
- What the arrangements are now, and what you're asking for
- Whether there's been any domestic abuse, police involvement, drug or alcohol use, or mental health concerns, on either side
- Whether you have any worries about the children's safety
- Whether you've tried mediation
How to come across well
- Take the call somewhere quiet and private, not while driving or at work with people around. Have a notepad ready.
- Lead with the children. "I want Ella to keep a strong relationship with both of us" lands better than "she's stopping me seeing my daughter".
- Be honest about the past, including anything that doesn't look good. Cafcass will see police records anyway, and honesty builds trust.
- Stick to facts when talking about the other parent. Say what happened, when, and how it affected the children.
- Have a clear, realistic proposal. Cafcass will often recommend something in their letter, so give them something sensible to recommend.
- Don't record the call without saying so. It's better to take notes, and write down the date and the officer's name.
If the letter gets something wrong
If there's a factual mistake, for example a wrong date or something you didn't say, tell the court at the first hearing, politely and briefly. You can also put it in your position statement. Don't argue about opinions. Correct facts.
Raising safety concerns
If you have genuine worries about your children's safety with the other parent, say so clearly and give specific examples. If you're the one facing allegations, stay calm, don't attack back, and say you'll co-operate with whatever checks the court needs.
This guide is general information about private children cases in England and Wales, checked in October 2026. It isn't legal advice for your situation. Rules and fees change, and every case is different. If you're unsure, ask the court, or speak to a solicitor. Some parents qualify for legal aid, especially where there's domestic abuse.