I would like to know how many on this forum believe the Ministry of Justices evaluation into the effectiveness of the new CIA forms has confirmed what so many people said or should I say warned us would happen when the DfES introduced the CIA forms and DV guidelines in 2005? http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/dom-violence-formc1a.pdf Key Findings Analysis of C1A forms
Data analysed about Section 8 applications across the 3 sites established that:
C1A forms had been completed in applications for the complete range of Section 8 orders where applicants or respondents had indicated concerns about violence or abuse on the C1 (Application for an Order) or C7 (Acknowledgement of a Service) form.
Most of those parents who completed a C1A had engaged a solicitor to represent them in the family court who had assisted them in completing their applications.
Although the C1A is addressed to parents, forms were often completed, typed and, sometimes, signed by solicitors. In 93.8% (n = 137) of the C1A forms completed, issues of domestic violence were identified but there were many omissions and anomalies, particularly in relation to the subheadings on the C1A which were rarely completed in full.
In 29.3% (n = 41) of 140 applications where applicants answered no to the trigger question 7 on the C1 and did not complete a C1A, the case file contained evidence of a high level of violence. This evidence was found in police reports, non-molestation orders, or convictions for violence and reports from health and social services.
Parental abduction was a grave concern to a number of parents with residence, all of whom were mothers. 23.3% (n = 34) of completed C1As indicated that children were considered to be at risk of abduction and a further 20.5% (n = 30) that abduction had been threatened. Fears of abduction were reinforced when children were retained or returned late after contact.
27th-December-2007
