What Is A Parenting Assessment?
In her latest blog, Family Law Paralegal Leonnie Watson, asks what is a parenting assessment and should it be a PAMS?…
Being a parent is not easy and every parent has a different style of parenting. Regardless of parenting style, if social services have child protection concerns about a child/children, the parent(s) may be required to complete a parenting assessment.
What Is A Parenting Assessment?
A parenting assessment is designed to work out what knowledge a parent has about their child’s needs until they are grown up and analyses their ability to give the child/children ‘good enough’ care. During the assessment, parents will be asked questions about their personal history and their attitude towards parenting. They will also be assessed on how they deal with difficult behaviour from their child. The assessor will observe their emotional connection, communication and playtime with their children.
What Will The Report Findings Be Used For In Care Proceedings?
In Care Proceedings, a report of the findings from the parenting assessment will be provided to the Court with a recommendation about whether the assessor thinks the parent(s) are able to care for the child/children in the long-term. The report may provide recommendations of what support, if any, parent(s) may need to be able to care for the children safely.
However, if a parent has a learning disability/difficulty, or they need information to be given to them in a certain way, parents may require a ‘PAMS’ (Parenting Assessment Manual) parenting assessment or a parenting assessment which uses ‘PAMS tools.’ PAMS parenting assessments are a little bit different to a regular parenting assessment. They give the assessor techniques which they should use when they are working with parents and families with difficulties/disabilities such as using pictures instead of words, using shorter sentences or being shown how to do a task rather than being told verbally or in writing. It makes sure that parents understand what they are being told and what they are being asked to do during the assessment before gradually moving on to more demanding tasks.
Does A Parenting Assessment Look For The ‘Perfect Parent’?
A parenting assessment does not look for the ‘perfect parent.’ It is an opportunity for parent(s) to show that they provide good enough care for this particular child with support if necessary. If, as a parent, you are not sure about the process, do not be afraid to ask the social worker, or the person assessing you, any questions that you may have. Engagement with the parenting assessment process will be viewed positively and could be the difference between a positive and negative assessment. If parents do not engage in a parenting assessment, this will be recorded in the report and be negatively noted by the Court.
Leonnie Watson
October 2020