Family Report Process
The Initial Process
The first step in obtaining a Family Report is to select the Family Report Writer. This is usually done in conjunction with your legal representative and is jointly agreed between the parties involved.
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Once the Family Report Writer has been selected, a 'joint letter of instruction' - completed by both parties legal representatives - will be sent to the Family Report Writer. Finally, each party will then be contacted by Dr Caspersz and the Family Report will be booked and scheduled.
The Family Report
Family report writers are from the professions of social work, psychology or psychiatry. They are independent professionals who prepare reports that provide information and recommendations about parenting arrangements following separation that are in the best interests of children.
They play an important role in obtaining and representing children's views to the court. The parties involved, their legal representatives, and judges consider family reports when resolving parenting disputes.
A Family Report is an independent family assessment that assists you and the court in making decisions about the children.
The Report will contain an assessment of the proposed arrangements for the child, taking into account the child’s needs and views and the relationships between relevant members of the family.
In preparing the report, the family consultant considers the children’s experiences and development, the family circumstances and other issues relevant to the case. The family consultant makes recommendations for arrangements that will best meet the children’s future care, welfare and developmental needs.
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The Family Report Writer will conduct a series of interviews. They will have individual interviews with you and the other party. They will also interview current partners of parties who will have significant involvement in the care of the children. They may also interview other significant people at their discretion, which you will be informed of should that be considered necessary.
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Interviews with adult parties are generally up to two hours. A follow up interview may also be required, but will be via telephone or electronic means.
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Children deemed of an appropriate age will also be interviewed, otherwise they will only participate in observations with the parties.
Your children will be interviewed separately from any adults. The children will be given an opportunity to express their views and wishes, but no child will be expected to do so.
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Interviews with children are generally between approximately half an hour to one hour.
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The Family Report Writer will also observe the interaction between the children and each parent (and other significant people) in separate observation sessions.
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Generally, the Family Report Writer will gather information about:
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the issues in dispute
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past and present parenting arrangements
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the parenting capacity of each party
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your children’s relationships with significant people
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your children’s wishes and views, and
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any risks to the children.
The Family Report Writer may request your permission to contact teachers or other relevant professionals for more information about your children. The Court may also direct that the Family Report Writer have access to material which has been subpoenaed.
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Click for Family Report FAQ page from the FCFCOA
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