Child Safety and Family Court Assessments

A social assessment report includes information about your child’s history, living situation, views and wishes. It also provides an independent opinion on the best way to protect your child’s interests.

The court or tribunal will consider the report’s recommendations when deciding whether a child protection order should be put in place for the child.

An accredited social worker, psychologist or other professional person writes the social assessment report. They are considered by the court or tribunal to be an independent expert in child protection.

The report writer will interview the child and other involved parties to gather information about relationships with significant people, such as their parents, brothers and sisters, extended family and friends. They will also look at the child’s needs and what is currently happening in their life.

A family report is one of many documents the court considers when making decisions about your children. Family reports are generally ordered when a case is progressing to a final hearing.

The court or an independent children’s lawyer (if one has been appointed) may organise a family report during family law proceedings. A family report provides information about you, your children and your family to help the court identify what is in your children’s best interests.

In preparing the report, the family consultant considers the children’s experiences and development, the family circumstances and any other issues relevant to the case. The family consultant makes recommendations for arrangements that will best meet the children’s future care, welfare and developmental needs.

Generally, the family consultant will gather information about:

• the issues in dispute

• past and present parenting arrangements

• the parenting capacity of each party

• your children’s relationships with significant people

• your children’s wishes and views, and

• any risks to the children

The family consultant may request your permission to contact teachers, doctors or other relevant professionals for more information about your children. The Court may also direct that the family consultant have access to material which has been subpoenaed.

All reports undertaken by family consultants are organised by the Court Children’s Service.

A comprehensive assessment of the parent’s functional cognitive abilities is conducted by an occupational therapist and a psychologist.

The assessment includes standardised psychometric testing and a functional cognitive assessment based on the Cognitive Disabilities Model by Claudia Allen. A combined report is provided addressing the questions outlined in the terms of reference.

Functional assessments can be provided to support applications to become an NDIS participant for adolescents (transition to adulthood/exiting care) and adults. 

Specialist assessments and supports for pregnant women or those who have an infant.

Targeted therapies are delivered by our psychologist to support and foster attachment, leading to better outcomes for both mother and baby.

Our therapists can complete assessments for young people to support their daily functioning and transition to adulthood, independence, or a supported independent living arrangement.