If social services are involved with your family, you may be asked to take part in a Parenting Assessment. This is a detailed process where professionals look at how well you meet your child’s needs and whether you are able to care for them safely in the long term. A Parenting Assessment will usually be carried out by your allocated Social Worker or a Support and Assessment Worker but in some cases may be completed by an Independent Social Worker. The aim of the assessment is to understand what knowledge and skills you have when it comes to parenting and where, if needed, support might be required. It is not about catching you out or criticising your efforts, it is about providing a full picture to social services and the Court.
During the assessment you may be asked questions about your child’s routine, how you provide basic care like meals and hygiene, how you deal with difficult behaviour, how you keep your child safe and the emotional bond between you and your child. You may also be asked about your personal history and your general attitude towards parenting. If there have been specific issues that have led to social services involvement, such as substance misuse or domestic abuse, you may be asked about these too.
The person carrying out the assessment will observe how you interact with your child and may also speak with your child’s school, health professionals or others involved with your family.
If you have learning difficulties or need additional support to fully engage with the process, you may be offered a specialist type of assessment called a ParentAssess assessment. This type of assessment is designed to make the process fairer and more accessible for parents who may struggle with standard assessments. It uses a traffic light system of green, amber and red to explain what is done well, what is a slight concern and what is a significant concern.
At the end of the process a report will be written and provided to the Court. This report will include a recommendation about whether your child can stay in your care and what support, if any, you may need. If you disagree with the outcome of the assessment, for example you feel it was inaccurate or unfair, your solicitor can help you ask for a second opinion from an Independent Social Worker. This request would need the approval of the Court.
To give yourself the best chance it is important to be honest throughout the process. Trying to hide problems or trying to say what you think the assessor wants to hear can backfire. Being open and willing to engage shows that you are taking the situation seriously and want to do what is best for your child. It is important to attend all appointments, ask questions if you are unsure, and keep in regular contact with your solicitor who is there to support you. Remember the purpose of the Parenting Assessment is not to judge you but to understand what your child needs and how you can be helped to meet those needs safely.
If you have been asked to complete a Parenting Assessment, please get in touch with Johnson Astills to see how we can assist. Please call us at our office in Leicester on 0116 255 4855 or our office in Loughborough on 01509 610 312 and ask to speak to a member of the Care Team. Alternatively, you may prefer to email us at legal@johnsonastills.com or fill in our enquiry form.
