The whole thing behind a DoCS case is a mind game.

Just reading the contents of an affidavit alone can screw with a parent's head and they love that... The know that many parents out there don't really understand what is written in affidavits and that works in their favour in the court room.

Ask a CSO about the affidavit and they'll tell you to get legal advice. Sure, legal reps understand the terminology and wording of affidavits, but not everyone can afford a solicitor and not everyone is granted Legal Aid.

And then there are reports... Written in a language that is geared around th knowledge of that of the professional who wrote it. DoCS themselves will admit that often they don't understand what's written in the reports - but they commissioned them.

How many parents here know what "Gillick competent" means? And "scales" - on the X scale at this percentage rah rah rah.

And at the end of the day the parent is worn down. Their head is completely done in by unfounded accusations and terminology and abbreviations that they don't understand.