Section 7 Reports:
Section 7 reports are usually requested by courts when parents divorce and can’t agree who their child (or children) will live with, or the level of contact the other parent will have. Section 7 reports allow a child’s wishes about residence and contact to be taken into account by an independent third party.

Our social workers will meet with parents and child, observing the child with their parents and talking to them alone (allowing for ability and age). On this basis they will prepare a Section 7 Report within the timeframe requested by the Court Order.

Section 37 Reports:
If a question arises about a child’s welfare during private law proceedings under the Children Act 1989, and the court considers it may be appropriate to make a Care Order or Supervision Order, it will direct the relevant local authority to investigate the child’s circumstances. The findings, known as a Section 37 Report, must be made to the court within 8 weeks – and independent social workers are often responsible for this work.