Child support agency

I used the CSA to try to secure child maintenance for my two children as their father was refusing to pay. I took the decision to go the CSA route as i could not afford the legal fees for a maintenance pending suit application. The CSA have been worse than useless in dealing with my application and the matter was passed to the Independent Case examiner who has upheld both areas of my complaint which was 1. failure to secure regular maintenance (2 x £10 payments were collected in 2008) and 2. for their failure to proceed with my "variation" application. This is when the CSA investigate you for a "lifestyle inconsistent with income" It is on this point that i am hoping that someone may be able to offer any advice. THe CSA, rather than deal with the variation application, wrongly conducted a fraud investigation. I now have the opportunity to appeal but it has taken 18 months for them to advise me that this has happened. The problem i have is that my ex has now had a considerable length of time to "reduce his earnings" therefore can i take any action against the CSA as i suspect that what he was earning 18 months ago he certainly wont be (or appearing to be ) earning now.
He is self employed and has to date (since FEbruary 2008) refused to provide the CSA with any written proof of earnings. I am well aware of the amount of money that he was able to earn when we separated in 2007, and even taking the current recession in to account, I do not beleive that he is being truthful in what he is telling the CSA. Does anyone have any ideas please? Thank you

HI, sorry you are in this situation and as a father who set up a standing order from day 1, I am ashamed he is neglecting his kids.
It appears the CSA are not good in their systems, I am afraid you are stuck maybe with the system as you are asking basically for him to be truthful and cough up it seems using morals and they are not present here.
You can only use the csa and they will only take his earnings from when they start the investigation or take the case on.
I would try to get this in place and at least get some money coming in, he cannot hide his income for ever and maintain a lower life style give it a year or two then apply for a review out of the blue, I think thats the best advice maybe. Dont expect anything from him regarding truth or morals.