CAFCASS Reviews: What Fathers Say About the Family Court Process

Type “CAFCASS” into Trustpilot or Google Reviews and you’ll see a flood of frustration – parents describing bias, ignored evidence, and complaints that never went anywhere. For dads, this can feel worrying, especially if you’re about to deal with CAFCASS yourself. But here’s the key: while reviews highlight problems, you can’t opt out of CAFCASS. What you can do is prepare. This guide unpacks what the reviews say, what’s behind the complaints, and how dads can take control of their case.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Most CAFCASS reviews are negative – with dads reporting bias, ignored evidence, and poor communication.
• A small number of positive reviews highlight fair officers and well-prepared parents.
• You can’t opt out of CAFCASS – their involvement is mandatory in child arrangements cases.
• The best way to protect yourself is preparation: safeguarding calls, Section 7 reports, and clear Position Statements.
• Complaints rarely change outcomes – challenges must be made through court, not the CAFCASS complaints process.

Concerned your CAFCASS report might go the same way? WhatsApp us now for step-by-step preparation support.

What Do CAFCASS Reviews Highlight?

The strongest themes across reviews are familiar: fathers feeling unheard, assumptions that mothers are prioritised, and reports that don’t reflect the full picture. While some of these are genuine failings, others come from parents not knowing how to present their side effectively.

The lesson? Don’t just hope for fairness – structure your case so CAFCASS has clear, well-prepared evidence to work with.

Real Reviews – What Parents Are Saying

On TrustPilot, recent reviews echo the same frustrations dads raise with us every day:

• “Cafcass is not there for children… they follow their agenda, always being biased and ignoring domestic violence.” – Magda, Aug 2025
• “She had based her judgement purely on fake allegations… thankfully the court went against her recommendation and gave supervised contact.” – Parent, Aug 2025
• “This organisation isn’t fit for purpose. They don’t act in the best interests of the children at all.” – CG, Aug 2025
• “Absolute disgrace… men don’t have a chance to be heard or listened to in court.” – Gibbo, Aug 2025

And in another, one father wrote:

• “Cafcass twisted my words, ignored evidence I submitted, and still backed my ex’s false allegations. Once their report was filed, the judge treated it like gospel.” – Craig, Jul 2025

Reviews like these are difficult reading. They highlight two realities:

• Parents feel sidelined and unheard.
• Once a negative CAFCASS report is filed, it can shape the whole case.

That’s why preparation matters. You can’t control the officer, but you can control how you present your evidence, how you answer safeguarding questions, and how consistent you are in every interaction.

Adding Balance – The Rare Positive Reviews

While 97% of Trustpilot reviews rate CAFCASS one star, there are rare cases where parents felt supported. A handful of 5-star reviews describe officers as fair, empathetic, and child-focused:

• “The officer was professional, compassionate, and deeply knowledgeable… she helped both sides come together for the benefit of our child.” – Jay Bhasin, 2025
• “I was worried after reading the bad reviews, but my Cafcass officer was fair, reasonable and impartial. I felt heard.” – Ryan R, 2024
• “Cafcass helped me secure 50/50 shared care… they backed me up when local authorities were biased.” – Private, 2023

These show that outcomes can vary – sometimes dramatically – depending on the officer, the evidence, and how parents present themselves. The overwhelming majority of reviews are negative, but the positive ones usually highlight two things:

• Parents were well-prepared and child-focused.
• Officers who stuck rigidly to the welfare checklist could produce fairer recommendations.

That’s why preparation matters: it increases the chances your experience looks more like the rare 5-star reviews, not the common 1-stars.

Do CAFCASS Favour Mothers?

“Do CAFCASS favour mothers?” is one of the most common questions we hear – and it’s echoed in online reviews. Legally, CAFCASS must apply the welfare checklist to both parents equally. But bias can creep in if your evidence isn’t clear or if you come across as defensive.

Preparing well – for CAFCASS Safeguarding Calls, interviews, and home visits – helps prevent your side being minimised.

👉 See our explainer: CAFCASS Welfare Checklist Explained

Worried about bias creeping in? Chat with us on WhatsApp — we’ll help you present your side clearly and calmly.

Evidence Concerns – “They Ignored What I Sent”

Many reviews say evidence was dismissed or barely referenced in reports. If this is your worry:

• Use a Position Statement to spell out the relevance of each piece of evidence.
• File documents properly in a Court Bundle.
• Avoid emotional commentary – stick to facts, dates, and child-focused reasoning.

This ensures judges and CAFCASS can’t just skim past what matters.

Complaints About CAFCASS

Reviews often describe the complaints system as a dead end. CAFCASS’s complaints process only covers conduct – not the recommendations in reports.

If you believe a report is inaccurate or unfair, the way to challenge it is in court, not through the complaints team. That’s where structured responses, cross-examination, and Section 7 Report Support make the difference.

Stuck with an unfair report? WhatsApp us today and we’ll guide you on how to challenge it effectively in court.

Preparing for CAFCASS – Where Dads Can Take Control

Instead of dwelling on negative reviews, focus on what you can influence:

• Be ready for your CAFCASS Safeguarding Call.
• Keep calm and child-focused in every interaction.
• Prepare properly for Section 7 Reports.
• Make home visits count – safe, stable, child-first routines matter.

💡 Reviews show where dads felt let down. Preparation ensures you don’t join them.

Positive Alternatives – What Dads Say About Us

Alongside complaints about CAFCASS, reviews of Dads’ Consultancy show another side. Fathers highlight the confidence they gained through preparation – from safeguarding calls to statement drafting. See our reviews to understand how we’ve supported dads in your position.

FAQs – What Dads Ask About CAFCASS

Read enough reviews and you’ll see the same worries repeated. Dads want to know if CAFCASS are biased, what powers they really have, and how much weight their recommendations carry in court. Below we’ve answered the questions we hear most often – with straight, practical guidance you can use.

Do CAFCASS favour mothers?

This perception is common, but the law requires equal consideration. Preparation is key to making sure your side is represented.

Are CAFCASS biased?

They shouldn’t be, but perceived bias can happen if one parent dominates the narrative.

Can I complain about CAFCASS?

Yes, but only about staff behaviour. If you disagree with a report, you must challenge it in court.

Do judges always follow CAFCASS recommendations?

Not always – but judges must explain if they choose a different outcome.

Do CAFCASS look at social media?

They can. Posts showing conflict, hostility, or poor judgment may be referenced in safeguarding or Section 7 reports. Keep your online presence calm and child-focused.

What is CAFCASS?

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service – they advise the court on what’s best for your child.

Need Support?

Reading reviews can feel discouraging. But the best way to protect your case isn’t posting on Trustpilot – it’s preparation. At Dads’ Consultancy we help fathers:

• Prepare for safeguarding calls and interviews.
• Respond to Section 7 reports.
• Draft strong position statements.
• Present themselves clearly and calmly in court.

👉 Book a Free Consultation Today

✅ Related Reading

• CAFCASS Safeguarding Call – What to Expect
• Section 7 Report by CAFCASS – What Dads Should Know
• CAFCASS Welfare Checklist Explained
• Family Court Position Statement – Writing a Compelling One

👉 Learn more about how we can support you or book a free consultation today