Similarly, try not to question children about what took place during their interviews or ask what they said. Please do not tell children what to say in the interviews. Even saying to a child that they need to “tell how they feel” can be unhelpful.
A family report may include recommendations to the court about: parental roles and responsibilities. how your children will spend time and communicate with their parents, family members and other significant people in their lives. any safety issues.
The Court is not bound by any recommendations made in the report. If you wish to challenge the contents of the Family Report then the appropriate way to do this is through cross examination in Court. For this to occur the family consultant must be called as a witness and given at least 14 days' notice in writing.
In preparing the report, the Court Child Expert will consider a range of issues such as your children's development, your children's relationships and the presence of risk factors (such as family violence). Child Impact Reports focus on the impact these types of issues have upon children and parenting.
What questions are asked in a child impact report?
Any alleged risk issues; The relationship that the child has with each of the parents. The relationship that the child has with any other significant people, such as grandparents or other carers; and. The age of the child and any developmental issues.
Conflicts are a part of family life. Many things can lead to conflict, such as illness, disability, addiction, job loss, school problems, and marital issues. Listening to each other and working to resolve conflicts are important in strengthening the family.
(1) This section applies if, in proceedings under this Act, the care, welfare and development of a child who is under 18 is relevant. (2) The court may direct a family consultant to give the court a report on such matters relevant to the proceedings as the court thinks desirable.
How do you think your family might describe you? What qualities or strengths might they say you have? Are there members of your extended family that you feel close to or feel that you have something in common with? Did you feel safe in your family?
The assessment should be holistic, draw together a family history with reference to prior information and chronologies and recognise the existing strengths and skills of the child and family. Its purpose is to identify the child's and other family members' needs and agree on the desired outcome of any involvement.
A Family Report is a document written by a family consultant appointed by the Court. It provides an independent assessment of the issues in the case and can help the judge hearing the case to make decisions about arrangements for the child/ren. It may also help the parties reach an agreement.
Family conflict refers to active opposition between family members. Because of the nature of family relationships, it can take a wide variety of forms, including verbal, physical, sexual, financial, or psychological.
The following are some examples of these patterns: One or both parents have addictions or compulsions (e.g., drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, gambling, overworking, and/or overeating) that have strong influences on family members. One or both parents threaten or use physical violence as the primary means of control.
Family Situations - a child abuse investigation, spouse abuse, an unplanned pregnancy, a parent's desertion, a chronically ill family member, and lack of social supports are examples of family situations that can create stress and crises.
What is the difference between a child impact report and a family report?
A child impact report in Australia (Section 11F Report) helps judges and courts gain more insight into family law proceedings. These reports are generally used in the early stages of parenting proceedings as compared to family consultant reports. On the other hand, family consultant reports are used in a final hearing.
The Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory is a widely used three-dimensional psychometric measure to assess parenting behaviors as reported by children and parents.
