This is usually the first hearing within proceedings which have been brought in the Family Court under the Children Act 1989. Proceedings may have been brought for a Child Arrangements Order, a Prohibited Steps Order, and/or a Specific Issue Order.
A FHDRA would normally take place between four-six weeks following the issuing of the C100 application.
The purpose of the hearing is to assist the court to identify the issues and decide how best to progress the application that has been made. If the application is for contact, interim contact may be reviewed at the hearing, but interim orders are not always made and a separate hearing may need to be considered.
On an application for a Child Arrangements Order, (not necessarily for a Prohibited Steps Order or Specific Issue Order), the Children and Family Court Advisor and Support Service (CAFCASS) identity any safety issues by carrying out safeguarding enquiries. At least three working days before the FHDRA, CAFCASs must report to the court in a safeguarding letter.
The purpose of safeguarding checks is to assess safety/risk of harm to children. CAFCASS make enquiries about the adult parties named in the application. They make police national computer (PNC) checks at level one and then decide, based on the results, if enhanced police checks are needed. They also check with the local authority if the family is known to them.