ABSTRACT
Parenting assessments are a planned process of identifying concerns about a child’s welfare, eliciting information about the functioning of the parent/s and the child, and forming an opinion as to whether the child’s needs are being satisfied. This book focuses on assessments undertaken as part of Family Proceedings in order to advise courts making decisions about children’s future care. Commonly, these are hearings under the 1989 Children Act to consider whether a child has suffered significant harm as a result of the parenting they have received and whether an Order should be made to safeguard their future care. Alternatively, the hearing may be part of Matrimonial Proceedings around disputed contact arrangements between separated/divorced parents.
