Parenting Assessment
What is a Parenting Assessment?
 A Parenting Assessment is, in some ways, a hybrid evaluation, often undertaken by an individual who also conducts Child Custody Evaluations. However, this type of assessment is not as comprehensive or complex as a full Child Custody Evaluation. Instead, it focuses on the parenting competencies of the mother and the father with regard to the children. It is less about the overall psychological functioning of the parent but more specifically on the parenting skills and abilities of the parent. Typically, the parenting assessment does not provide the Court with a set of child sharing/custody recommendations. Instead, the Court develops its own child sharing plan based upon the parenting data provided by the evaluator.
Why Would A Parenting Assessment Be Done Rather Than A Child Custody Evaluation?
When issues of psychopathology or psychological health of the parent(s) or child(ren) are not at issue, a Parenting Assessment may be a more appropriate tool. Parenting Assessments are less comprehensive, less intrusive, less complicated and therefore they are less expensive.
Who Conducts Parenting Assessments?
These assessments are carried out by licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, social workers, licensed counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychiatrists. Some individuals who conduct Child Custody Evaluations choose not to conduct more limited assessments such as the Parenting Assessment. This is a decision each qualified professional must make.
What Is Involved In Parenting Assessments?
Like the Child Custody Evaluation, there is no specific protocol developed for these assessments. In fact, various evaluators may approach their work using different tools and procedures. However, parenting assessments rely more on clinical interviews focusing on parenting skills and on observations of parent-child observations. Psychological testing, if done, is usually quite limited.
Are Parenting Assessments Confidential?
Usually, these assessments are “non-confidential”. That is, the report that is written is filed with the Court, given to attorneys and so forth. Moreover, information gained from one parent may be divulged to the other parent in the course of the assessment when this helps the evaluator clarify issues. While a competent and professional evaluator does everything possible to protect the privacy and dignity of the parties outside the circle of those involved in the assessment, the evaluator is unable to guarantee the security of the report once the report is issued and delivered to the appropriate individuals involved in the case.
Who Pays For The Parenting Assessment?
Often, parents assume that since Courts order these assessments that the Court will pay for the assessment. In fact, the cost of the assessment is usually born by the parents. The costs vary with some providers charging a “flat rate” while others charge on an hourly basis. |
