Parenting/Risk Assessments - Process of assessment
We are able to undertake parenting assessments in situations when parents
are seeking to resume or maintain the care of their child or children. We
have particular expertise in undertaking parenting assessments in situations
where there are significant child protection concerns including children
being exposed to chaotic drug misuse, alcohol misuse and domestic violence.
Process of assessment
Every family is unique and as a consequence each assessment is tailored
to the needs of the particular case, but is likely to involve the following
process.
Professionals Meeting: A preliminary professionals meeting involving all
professionals involved in the case to discuss the purpose of the assessment
and how it is likely to proceed. A meeting with the parents/carers usually
follows this meeting where a timetable of interviews and work is agreed.
Individual interviews with parents/carers: Each parent/carer will be seen
individually at least three times by a Social Worker who will take a comprehensive
history from the parent/carer that focuses on personal and family history
together with parenting issues in relation to the concerns expressed by
the professionals involved in the case.
Parents/carers can also be seen by a Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist
who will during the assessment consider the parents/carers therapeutic needs
and the timescales for change to occur.
Where concerns regarding anger are present an anger management assessment
with treatment recommendations can be made.
Observations of contact: each parent/carer is seen at least twice with their
child/ren, usually by a Play Therapist. These observations focus on interactions
between family members, highlighting attachment issues, parenting ability,
and potential for change. Where a Court has agreed an assessment we will
require a direction that we have leave to see the children.
Individual interviews with children: Where appropriate, children can be
seen, usually on two occasions, by a Child Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist.
These meetings focus on the developmental and emotional needs of the child,
and assess any harm the child may have suffered.
In addition to the above, we can offer structured tests such as the following:
- Narrative story stems
- Child Attachment Interview
- Parent Development Interview
- Family Attachment Interview
