1. What is the burden of proof in child abuse cases? are there any specific guidelines that need to be followed or is this worked on probability of the reporters beliefs?
We do not hold this information / not reportable.

2. Do child social services follow the same guidelines or process when investigating child abuse when the child is in the care of the local authority as it does when a child is still living with their parent/s?
The nature of the investigation and actions will be dependent on what the allegation is. The setting would not make much difference in an investigation proceeding but may need to be taken into consideration to safeguard all individuals involved.

3. How many complaints have been raised each year since 2010 in regards to Cafcass or other child experts such as psychologists, psychiatrists. This can be either calendar or financial year, whichever you use for statistics.
Wokingham Borough Council do not hold this information. Complaints to the mentioned organisations would be made to them and should go to them directly.

4. Do child social services do background checks on the experts they use in cases such as criminal convictions, credentials etc.
Checks are carried out where they are lawfully required. We would not hold information (or not reportable) on how many occasions this has occurred.

5. Does the family court use the same judge throughout cases in family court or can the judge change during cases? Are there any statistics on this for each year since 2010 in either calendar or financial period?
We do not hold this information - will need to be directed to the family court.

6. Are there any statistics for non return of children by non-residential parent to residential parent for each year since 2010 by either calendar or financial year? if so, are these statistics separated by male / female parent not returning child from contact?
We do not hold this information / not reportable.

7. Does the gender of the parent making a custody application have any bearing on the outcome of the custody dispute? Is there any statistics or evidence to back this up? Again since 2010 by either calendar or financial year.
We do not hold this information, and is seeking an 'opinion' which is not the purpose of the FOI Act.

8. Does the distance or interim decision in custody disputes affect the outcome of the case? Again if there are any statistics on this please use statistics since 2010 per calendar or financial year.
We do not hold this information, and is seeking an 'opinion' which is not the purpose of the FOI Act.

9. How many allegations made to child social services are upheld without a full investigation or professional proof? How many are immediately investigated. Any statistics from 2010 by calendar or financial year are appreciated.
We cannot answer the question in the way it is posed. In relation to allegations of harm made against adults who work with children we can say that all are evaluated by the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who would coordinate the process and ensure that all allegations are fully investigated by police, social care of the employer before a decision is reached about whether the allegation is substantiated, unsubstantiated, unfounded/false or malicious. This is in line with the requirements set out in Working Together to safeguard children and the Berkshire Child Protection Procedures.

10. How often, if at all do child social services close a case without investigating? statistics if available since 2010 by calendar or financial year.
We do not hold this information.

11. At what age should an adult explain death to a child and under what circumstances would this be deemed appropriate? Any reports of evidence of this would be lovely.
This question is seeking an 'opinion' which is not the purpose of the FOI Act.

12. If a male has a pattern of behaviour of becoming involved with single mum's with children or moving in with a female with children within 3 months of first meeting her would child social services regard this as a risk factor? if so, how and are there any reports or documents to back this up?
We do not hold this information, and is seeking an 'opinion' which is not the purpose of the FOI Act.