Some of our more frequently asked questions (FAQs) are answered below.
If your query isn’t there, please contact us as we’d love to hear from you.
How long do assessments take?
We can report on Section 7 assessments within eight weeks upon receipt of the letter of instruction, sometimes earlier if requested.
Who will you need to meet during your assessment?
We need to meet with your child or children, usually twice. We will thoroughly interview both parties and offer a follow-up interview if required. It is essential that we understand and capture your individual narratives. Interviews with children will take place face-to-face. Initial interviews with parents will also be face-to-face, but additional meetings can be held over a video call.
What should I tell my child about your visit?
Subject to your child’s age and what they already know about the court proceedings, we will help you formulate what to share with your child before our first visit. We know this can be a new experience for most children, and we will make every effort to make it as comfortable as possible.
Where will you see my child?
We usually see children in each of their parents’ homes. If this is not possible, we might see children in the community, at a park or familiar place for the child. On occasion, when asked to see children in neutral environments, we may see them at school. However, this would be discussed if necessary.
Will you help me in court?
Yes, it is our experience that navigating the family court process can be extremely difficult and cause lots of anxiety, so we are here to help you along the way, at each step, beginning to end.
Can you help even if I haven't seen my child(ren) in a long time?
Yes, we believe that if safe, every child should have the opportunity to have a relationship with their parents. However, supposing that this is not possible, at the moment, we will assess the risks associated with seeing the child (called “contact”) and make recommendations on how these risks can be minimised or managed, usually through supervised contact and additional parenting work.
