A section 7 report is a document that is prepared as part of the process of conducting an environmental assessment (EA) in Canada. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) requires that federal authorities consider the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or activity before making a decision to proceed with it. As part of this process, a section 7 report is prepared by the responsible authority (such as a federal department or agency) and provides information about the potential environmental effects of the proposed project or activity.
The purpose of a section 7 report is to provide information to decision-makers and the public about the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or activity. This information is used to inform the decision-making process and to ensure that the potential impacts of a project or activity are properly considered before a decision is made to proceed with it.
A section 7 report typically includes a description of the proposed project or activity, an assessment of the potential environmental effects of the project or activity, and an analysis of the proposed measures to mitigate any negative impacts. The report may also include a summary of the public consultation process and any input received from the public.
The preparation of a section 7 report is an important step in the EA process, as it helps to ensure that the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity are properly considered before a decision is made to proceed with it. It is also an important tool for informing the public about the potential impacts of a proposed project or activity and for ensuring that the public has an opportunity to provide input into the EA process.
In conclusion, a section 7 report is a key document in the environmental assessment process in Canada. It provides important information about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or activity and helps to ensure that these impacts are properly considered before a decision is made to proceed with the project or activity. It also serves as an important tool for informing the public about the potential impacts of a proposed project or activity and for ensuring that the public has an opportunity to provide input into the EA process.
MEP
This will state the date by which the Children's Trust must file the report with the court. After the Section 7 Report has been written and filed on all parties, the case would be set down for a Dispute Resolution Appointment DRA to consider the recommendations of the report. They are an independent body, and advise the family courts about what is safe for children, and what is in their best interests. They will speak to the parents separately and may, if appropriate speak to the child about their wishes and feelings and how often they would like to spend time with each parent if they are of the appropriate age. The social worker must explain the contents of the report to the child, particularly the recommendations and the account of the child's views, as far as is appropriate to the child's age and understanding. Posted by 3rd May 2022 Paralegal Jasmine Galvin explains what Section 7 Reports are and why they may be needed in the child arrangements process.
If it is unlikely that investigations will be complete by that date, the social worker must discuss the situation with Legal Services as soon as this is known, as an application will have to be made to the court for an extension of time. The social worker or team manager will respond directly to the court. If there are points which you do not agree with in the report, your legal representative will ask the CAFCASS worker questions about the report whilst they are in the witness box. A Section 7 report may be required in cases where an application has been made to the Court for an Order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989, in respect of which the parents cannot agree. These are generally where parents have split up and there is disagreement about who the child should live or spend time with but can extend to include a variety of other welfare issues such as schooling or healthcare.
If problems arise and the report will not be ready by the court deadline, the social worker must alert the team manager immediately. Five days before this date, the court business support worker will contact the social worker to ask for the final version. If your case proceeds to a final hearing, the CAFCASS worker will usually attend the hearing, and will give evidence to the court about their report. In all other cases, CAFCASS Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will prepare the report. The decision will be set out in a Court Order which you must comply with. Note that Legal Services do not attend court to support the social worker.
This perspective can only be obtained by meeting and speaking with the child, usually without the parents present. After we receive the form, we will forward it to the other party. Finally… The key point to remember, as highlighted above, is not to panic or worry if the judge decides to order a section 7 report. How is the Section 7 Report prepared? There is an expectation that the social worker who prepares a section 37 report will be aware of, and will fully take into account, any statutory guidance relevant to the issues in the case. How CAFCASS sets about preparing a S7 report how they consider these cases and how they deal specifically with allegations of domestic abuse, high conflict cases, parental alienation, substance abuse and mental illness.
CAFCASS supports over 140,000 children every year by speaking up for them while the family court makes critical decisions about their futures. What will a Section 7 Report contain? When Should the Order for a Section 7 Report come to the Children's Trust? What you should expect when the CAFCASS worker talks to you. This may include talking to children depending on their age and understanding about their wishes and feelings and what they would like to happen. Such reports can be undertaken by either Cafcass or a relevant Local Authority if they are involved in the case or have recently been involved with the family. If you need legal support then please do get in touch. A CAFCASS officer or social worker will provide an independent assessment of the situation and will report these findings to the Court, whilst making recommendations as to what the best arrangements for the child are.
The social worker may draw up the Section 7 report — there is a template for this. We offer free, no obligation, telephone consultations for qualifying individuals. No such power exists when a section 7 report is directed. We work with parents and children who have been appointed a guardian to help navigate this legal process. It will make its decision based on what it thinks is best for your children.
What Is A Section 7 Report And Can I Challenge It?
Each CAFCASS officer should think about these factors when making an assessment. The judge will consider your concerns when making a decision. The team manager will allocate responsibility for the report to a social worker, and will notify the court business support worker of the name of the responsible social worker. This is usually in cases where applications for the following orders are made: child arrangements orders who the child lives with or spends time with , prohibited steps orders to stop a parent from taking a certain step e. CAFCASS: Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. However, there are five key differences:- Author Section 7 reports can be directed from either CAFCASS or an officer of the relevant local authority or such other person as the authority considers appropriate. After making all of these enquiries, they will write a report advising the court on what they think should happen.
What Will Be In A Section 7 Report? It will consider the impact of the dispute and conflict on the child. The court will not accept an assessment for this purpose, but a recent 47 assessment can be referenced or exhibited to the Section 7 report. The judge has freedom to ask CAFCASS for support, and CAFCASS must comply with the request see section 7 5. Where there are welfare concerns within Private Law Children Act Proceedings, a report under Section 7 of the Children Act 1989 can be directed by the Court known as a S7 Report. CAFCASS will contact Children's Trust Check, who will advise them whether the child is known to Children's Trust. Timeframe Section 7 CA 1989 provides no statutory timeframe for the completion of a welfare report but periods between twelve and sixteen weeks are typical.
What Does It Mean If The Judge Orders A Section 7 Report?
Removing or resetting your browser cookies will reset these preferences. If the judge disagrees with the CAFCASS recommendation and decides to make a different order, then a justification of the reasons for that should be set out in the judgment. What Is Section 8 Of The Children Act 1989? Most requests for section 7 reports are directed to CAFCASS, but it may be appropriate for the Children's Trust to prepare the report if they have had substantial recent involvement with the child. If it is unlikely that the court deadline can be met, the team manager must inform the court business support worker immediately. Essentially, this section of the Act allows judges to seek help from a relevant professional when they are required to determine a dispute about the upbringing of a child. It is currently accessed What does the report mean for your child? The court will not make an order based on the report: if the decision is that care proceedings should be initiated, an application must be made as set out in If the decision is that care proceedings should not be initiated, the team manager must decide whether the decision should be reviewed and, if so, when the review will begin and what form it will take.
