Voice of the Child Assessments
A child-centred, developmentally informed assessment that supports legally informed decision-making by documenting the child’s perspective within clearly defined ethical and procedural boundaries. The assessment is scoped to the referral question and the intended use of the report.
Child-centred perspective within clear boundaries
A Voice of the Child assessment is conducted when a formal process requires the child’s perspective to be heard in a developmentally appropriate way. The assessment is carefully scoped to the referral question, the child’s developmental level, and the legal or institutional context. The purpose is not advocacy, but structured psychological input that remains within ethical boundaries and defined limitations.
- Developmentally informed engagement that supports the child’s emotional safety.
- Neutral, bounded scope with clear limitations and procedural clarity.
- Referral-aligned documentation for the intended legal or institutional use.
- Safeguarding focus throughout the process and reporting.
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 family law, safeguarding, or formal institutional processes require the child’s perspective to be documented through a structured, developmentally appropriate process, within defined ethical and procedural boundaries.
Appropriate referrals
Referrals
Referrals typically come from legal representatives, mediators, institutions, or clinicians requesting child-focused psychological input aligned to a defined purpose and reporting context (care/contact considerations, safeguarding decisions, or institutional requirements).
Typical components
Process
The pathway is confirmed during booking and usually includes scoping and consent clarification, developmentally appropriate child sessions, relevant context review within the agreed scope (where appropriate and consented), and structured integration with clear limitations.
Reporting outcomes
Reporting
Reports are aligned to the referral purpose and defined scope, typically outlining the context and questions, session structure and methods (as appropriate), the child’s perspective documented within developmental limits, safeguarding considerations, and clearly stated limitations.
