Care & Contact / Child Custody Assessments
A structured, impartial psychological assessment conducted in family law contexts where decisions regarding care arrangements and contact require formally documented psychological input. The assessment is carefully scoped to the referral question, with neutrality, child wellbeing, and legal relevance central throughout.
Child-focused scope, neutrality, and court-aware reporting
Care and Contact (Child Custody) assessments are conducted when courts or legal professionals require structured psychological input to inform decisions about a child’s living arrangements and contact with caregivers. The starting point is the referral question and the intended use of the report. Scope, consent requirements, and limitations are clarified before sessions so the assessment remains fit for purpose and ethically bounded.
- Neutral, defined scope aligned to the referral questions and legal context.
- Child wellbeing focus with developmentally appropriate engagement where relevant.
- Ethical boundaries with consent requirements and limitations clearly stated.
- Clear reporting written to address defined questions in a court-aware manner.
What this assessment covers
Summary guidance for scope, suitability, typical components, and reporting outcomes. For case-specific requirements, contact the practice.
When it’s used
Scope
Used when legal proceedings or formal processes require impartial psychological input to inform decisions about care arrangements and contact. The report is aligned to defined questions, consent requirements, and the intended legal use.
Appropriate referrals
Referrals
Referrals typically come from legal representatives, courts, or relevant professionals where a structured assessment is required to address defined care-and-contact questions with neutrality and child-focused considerations.
Typical components
Process
The pathway is confirmed during booking and typically includes referral scoping and consent clarification, interviews with relevant parties, child-focused engagement where appropriate, and integration/formulation within defined scope and stated limitations.
Reporting outcomes
Reporting
Reports are structured around the referral question and legal context, typically outlining scope, methods, relevant findings within agreed boundaries, formulation aligned to child needs, limitations, and conclusions framed to address the defined care-and-contact questions.
