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Children · Cafcass · reports

The Cafcass section 7 report, step by step

A Cafcass section 7 report is a report on a child's welfare that the family court can order under section 7 of the Children Act 1989[1]. A Family Court Adviser looks into the disputed issues, usually talks to the child, and advises the court on what is in the child's best interests[2]. The court makes the final decision[2].

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Recent council involvement that means the local authority writes it[3]
Usual time to get a child arrangements order[4]
Private law cases finished within 26 weeks (April to June 2026)[5]

01/ What it is

What is a section 7 report?

Section 7 of the Children Act 1989 lets a court dealing with a question about a child ask a Cafcass officer, a Welsh family proceedings officer or a local authority to report on the child's welfare[1]. The report deals with the matters the court asks about, it can be written or oral, and the officer must provide it[1].

Cafcass says the court may order it at the first hearing, for a case that goes beyond that hearing: it is a more detailed assessment of the disputed issues, with advice about what is in the child's best interests[2][9]. It goes further than the safeguarding letter Cafcass writes before the first hearing, which is limited to safety[10]. See what Cafcass is for the earlier stages.

02/ When it is ordered

When the court orders a section 7 report

Before ordering a report, the court should consider other ways of helping the parents, and it should say exactly which welfare issues the report must address rather than make a general request[11]. Practice Direction 12B says a welfare report will generally be ordered only where[11]:

  • there is a dispute about who the child should live with or spend time with[11];
  • there is an issue about the child's wishes[11];
  • there is an alleged risk to the child[11]; or
  • the court needs information and advice before it can decide[11].

If domestic abuse is raised

Where a child being a victim of domestic abuse, or a risk of harm from it, is raised, the court should consider ordering a section 7 report on contact and other welfare matters[12]. If it holds a fact-finding hearing, it will not usually ask for the report until afterwards, and its findings are sent to the officer writing the report[12].

03/ Who writes it

Cafcass or the local authority?

The court decides who writes the report[3]. Cafcass and local authorities advise that the local authority should write it where the child has an open social work case, or has had a statutory assessment, a child in need plan or a child protection plan in the last 12 weeks[3]. Otherwise the court should be advised to order Cafcass to write it[13].

In Wales the report is written by Cafcass Cymru, whose officers are Welsh family proceedings officers[1][14]. In Wales and in England's Child Focused Court areas, the court usually asks for a Child Impact Report near the start of the case instead[15][16].

04/ What happens

What happens during a section 7 report

See the usual steps below, in order, from Cafcass's own description.

  1. The Family Court Adviser decides what they need, based on the safeguarding letter and what the court asked them to look into[17].

05/ Your child

How the report hears your child

The adviser will not ask your child to decide the arrangements or to choose between you and the other parent[2]. The report should include the child's wishes and feelings when they are old enough to express them, and the adviser takes them into account in the recommendation[19]. A child can also be encouraged to write a letter to the judge[20].

The court must consider the child's wishes and feelings in the light of their age and understanding, but it may not always do what the child wants[21][2]. Cafcass says that where its recommendation cannot follow a child's wishes, the reasons must always be explained to the child[22].

06/ What it covers

What the report looks at

The report covers the matters the court directs[11]. When a section 8 order is opposed, the court itself must work through the welfare checklist[21]:

  • the child's wishes and feelings, in the light of their age and understanding[21];
  • their physical, emotional and educational needs[21];
  • the likely effect of any change[21];
  • their age, sex, background and any relevant characteristics[21];
  • any harm they have suffered or are at risk of[21];
  • how capable each parent is of meeting their needs[21]; and
  • the range of orders available to the court[21].

Where domestic abuse has been found or admitted, the report should address the factors in Practice Direction 12J, such as the effect of the abuse on the child and whether contact can be made safe[12][23]. Cafcass is also encouraged to recommend stepped arrangements where that can be done safely[11].

07/ Preparing

How to prepare for the adviser

Cafcass says its assessment requires both parents to engage positively and meaningfully with the adviser[24]. Its co-parenting advice is to speak about the other parent in positive or neutral terms and not to question your child about them[25].

Before you meet the Family Court Adviser

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08/ Timing

How long a section 7 report takes

There is no single fixed time: the court sets the date for filing the report, ideally after asking Cafcass or the local authority for a realistic timetable[13]. If there is a fact-finding hearing, the report usually waits until after it[12].

Private law children cases took an average of 33 weeks to finish in April to June 2026[5]. The court should not adjourn a case for an extra "addendum" section 7 report unless that is necessary and in the child's best interests[20].

09/ If you disagree

If you disagree with the report

If you are unhappy with what the adviser has written or recommended, tell the court, and your solicitor if you have one, so the judge or magistrates can take your concerns into account[2]. Factual mistakes, such as a wrong name or date of birth, go to the adviser or their manager[2].

A disagreement with the adviser's assessment is dealt with in court, not through Cafcass's complaints process[27]. The judge can depart from a Cafcass recommendation but must give clear reasons for doing so[28]. The court makes the final decision, and you cannot complain to Cafcass about it[2].

Raise it with the court and your solicitor, if you have one, so the judge can take it into account[2].

10/ Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is a section 7 report?

A report on a child's welfare that the court orders under section 7 of the Children Act 1989, written by Cafcass, Cafcass Cymru or the local authority[1].

Does Cafcass talk to my child for a section 7 report?

Usually yes, alone, perhaps at school; for a baby or young child the adviser observes them with a parent or carer[2][17].

Will I see the section 7 report?

In most cases you see the report before the hearing, and the adviser shares their thinking with you before filing it[2].

Does the judge have to follow the section 7 report?

No. The court makes the final decision, but a judge who departs from the Cafcass recommendation must give clear reasons[2][28].

How long does a section 7 report take?

The court sets the filing date in its order, ideally after asking Cafcass or the local authority for a realistic timetable[13].

Who writes the section 7 report, Cafcass or social services?

The court decides; the local authority is advised where the child has had recent social work involvement, otherwise Cafcass[3][13].

Can I complain about a section 7 report?

Disagreement with the assessment is raised in court; complaints about how Cafcass worked with you go to Cafcass[27].

11/ Sources

Sources we checked

  1. Children Act 1989, section 7 — legislation.gov.uk
  2. Section 7 reports — Cafcass
  3. Policy on whether Cafcass or a local authority should prepare a section 7 report — Cafcass
  4. Apply for a court order (Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate) — GOV.UK
  5. Family Court Statistics Quarterly: April to June 2026 — Ministry of Justice
  6. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  7. GOV.UK — mediation · FPR r3.9
  8. FPR Part 3, r3.8(1)(d)
  9. Overview of our involvement with you as you go through the court process — Cafcass · Help in Planning Together for Children — Cafcass
  10. Practice Direction 12B: Child Arrangements Programme, paras 13.1–13.8 — justice.gov.uk
  11. Practice Direction 12B: Child Arrangements Programme, paras 14.13 and 15.4 — justice.gov.uk
  12. Practice Direction 12J, paras 21–23, 29–30 — justice.gov.uk
  13. Policy on whether Cafcass or a local authority should prepare a section 7 report — Cafcass
  14. Information about separated parents — Cafcass Cymru, GOV.WALES · What we do — Cafcass Cymru, GOV.WALES · Information for parents and carers (private law cases) — Cafcass Cymru, GOV.WALES
  15. Information for parents and carers (private law cases) — Cafcass Cymru, GOV.WALES
  16. Sustaining ambition for children: strategic plan 2026–2029 — Cafcass
  17. The court asks an FCA to write a report if your case goes beyond first hearing (Section 7 reports) — Cafcass
  18. Policy on engaging with partners, grandparents, wider family members and professionals — Cafcass
  19. Our role in private law proceedings — Cafcass
  20. Practice Direction 12B: Child Arrangements Programme, paras 4.5 and 15.3 — justice.gov.uk
  21. Children Act 1989, section 1 — legislation.gov.uk
  22. Understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent: a guide to assessment — Cafcass
  23. Practice Direction 12J, paras 37–40 — justice.gov.uk
  24. Alienating behaviours — Cafcass
  25. Resources to help you make arrangements that are in your child's best interests — Cafcass
  26. If domestic abuse is known or alleged during family court proceedings — Cafcass
  27. I want to give feedback or make a complaint (parents) — Cafcass · How to contact us — Cafcass

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