Cafcass child interviews — how children are spoken to during family court cases

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01

When a child is interviewed

When an application is made under the Children Act 1989 (usually on Form C100), Cafcass carries out safeguarding checks and then either writes a short safeguarding letter or is directed by the court to prepare a report under s.7 of the Act. As part of that work, a Family Court Reporter (FCR) or Children's Guardian will usually want to see the children. Seeing a child is not an interrogation — it is a welfare-focused conversation designed to understand the child's day-to-day life, feelings and wishes.

How the interview is arranged

Cafcass contacts the parent with whom the child lives (or the school, if that is safer) to arrange a time and place.
Interviews commonly happen at school, at home, at a Cafcass office or — increasingly — by video call, depending on the child's age and the family's circumstances.
Children are normally seen alone for at least part of the meeting so they can speak freely. A parent should not prompt the child beforehand or sit in unless the officer agrees.
Where there are safeguarding concerns (allegations of abuse, for example), Cafcass plans the interview carefully and may involve the school so the child is not exposed to conflict.

What the officer is looking for

The interview is not a vote. Cafcass officers are trained to distinguish:

Wishes and feelings — what the child says they want, in their own words.
Weight to be given to them — a child's age, maturity, consistency over time and whether their views appear to be their own or rehearsed all affect how much weight the court gives them.
Welfare issues — how the child is coping, their schooling, health and relationships.

Children are told (in age-appropriate terms) that what they say will usually be shared with the judge and the parties — absolute confidentiality cannot be promised.

What parents should and should not do

1. Do not coach. Rehearsing a child or reheating adult arguments through them is one of the fastest ways to damage both the child and your credibility. Officers are alert to rehearsed answers. 2. Do not question the child afterwards about what was discussed. 3. Do prepare your child emotionally: reassure them there are no right answers and they will not be blamed for anything they say. 4. If you believe the officer has misunderstood something your child said, raise it in writing with Cafcass or through the court process rather than going back to the child.

The voice of the child in other formats

For older children, Cafcass offers letters, questionnaires or direct discussions about whether they want to meet the judge. There is also an independent "Meet the Judge" initiative in some areas. The court can also appoint a Children's Guardian in Rule 16.4 cases where the case is complex or the child needs separate representation.

Official links

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/ (how Cafcass works with children)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/41 (Children Act 1989, including s.1(3) welfare checklist)
https://www.judiciary.uk/ (Practice Guide 12A: Representation of Children)

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.