Mother changing position at a final hearing in a private children matter

Throughout the hearing, the mother’s position was that the father should have no contact with the child. Following cross examination of the Cafcass officer on behalf of the father, the mother’s position changed to agreeing supervised contact only. In submissions, the mother’s position changed once again and added conditions for the father’s contact, such as attending anger management classes. Submissions were made on behalf of the father that the mother’s position was contradictory and unclear. The s7 report indicated that there were no safeguarding concerns, and the mother was using the child as a way to control the father. It was ordered that the father would have supervised contact with the child beginning immediately, progressing to overnight stays in the very near future.