The Family Procedure Rules 2010

Request by court for a welfare report in respect of the child E+W

16.33.—(1) Where the court is considering an application for an order in proceedings, the court may ask—

(a) in proceedings to which Parts 12 and 14 apply, a children and family reporter; or

(b) in proceedings to which Part 12 applies, a welfare officer,

to prepare a report on matters relating to the welfare of the child, and, in this rule, the person preparing the report is called “the officer”.

(2) It is the duty of the officer to—

(a) comply with any request for a report under this rule; and

(b) provide the court with such other assistance as it may require.

(3) A report to the court under this rule is confidential.

(4) The officer, when carrying out duties in relation to proceedings under the 1989 Act, must have regard to the principle set out in section 1(2) and the matters set out in section 1(3)(a) to (f) of that Act as if for the word “court” in that section there were substituted the words “children and family reporter” or “welfare officer” as the case may be.

(5) A party may question the officer about oral or written advice tendered by that officer to the court.

(6) The court officer will notify the officer of a direction given at a hearing at which—

(a) the officer is not present; and

(b) the welfare report is considered.

(7) The officer's duties must be exercised in accordance with Practice Direction 16A (“children and family reporter” and “welfare officer” are defined in rule 2.3)