Private Family Assessments and Reports
After many years working with families experiencing separation and conflict, I have seen first-hand how easily families can become caught in patterns of misunderstanding, conflict and ongoing litigation. Often, this is not because parents do not care about their children, but because the underlying issues affecting the family have not been identified early or appropriately addressed. As conflict continues, relationships deteriorate, communication becomes increasingly difficult, and the needs of the children can become lost within the conflict.
Through my work in family therapy and child inclusive practice, I have found that early assessment and careful identification of the issues affecting the family can provide valuable direction at a time when families often feel uncertain about what to do next. By understanding the family's circumstances, identifying the matters requiring consideration and providing practical recommendations, families and professionals are better placed to make informed decisions that support the long-term wellbeing of the children.
Private Family Assessments and Reports are designed to provide an independent overview of the family's circumstances, parenting arrangements and the issues requiring consideration. Depending on the purpose of the report, recommendations may assist families, legal representatives and, where appropriate, the Court in considering future planning, therapeutic intervention and parenting arrangements.
My aim is to help families identify concerns early, reduce unnecessary conflict where possible, and encourage practical, child-focused decision making. Early intervention cannot resolve every dispute, however it can often provide greater clarity, improve understanding, and assist families to move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
For further information and relevant fee schedule please contact the office.
“Perhaps the best way and more mature means of releasing thoughts and feelings about another parent and how awful the other parent is, would be to talk with a therapist, in a safe and confidential environment, and not with or within hearing distance of the child(ren).”
— Josephine Byrnes-Luna
What are Private Family Assessments and Reports?
Private Family Assessments and Reports are independently prepared reports designed to assist families, legal representatives, Independent Children's Lawyers and, where appropriate, the Court (FCFCOA) by providing an overview of the issues affecting the child and family.
Depending upon the purpose of the report, they may be prepared at an early stage of separation to identify the key issues requiring consideration, or later in the family law process where a more detailed assessment or therapeutic overview is required.
The reports are based on therapeutic and child inclusive consultations, together with consideration of relevant documentation provided by the parties. They are tailored to the individual circumstances of each family and the purpose for which they have been requested.
Private Family Assessments and Reports are not Court appointed expert reports. They are independently prepared to assist families and professionals in understanding the issues affecting the family, identifying appropriate pathways forward, and supporting informed, child-focused decision making.
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“Everything we do as parents forms memories for our children, even our behaviour, sentiments and words are being observed and learned. Parents need to create happy joyous memories with and for their children so that they have these to look back on and grow from. Any conflict should never involve the child(ren) in any way shape or form, because they will remember. If you purposely deny a child a formidable and deserving relationship with another parent or extended family member, where there is no perceived risk, the child will remember this too. Later in life, in their own natural curiosity they will highly likely seek their own answers.”
— Josephine Byrnes-Luna
Purpose of Private Reports
Private Family Reports are designed to provide an independent overview of the child and family circumstances, identify the key issues requiring consideration, and provide practical recommendations to assist future planning and decision making.
Depending upon the type of report requested, consideration may be given to the child's presentation and views, parenting capacity, current parenting arrangements, family relationships and dynamics, communication and co-parenting, identified risks and protective factors, together with any relevant documentation provided by the parties.
Each report is prepared independently and tailored to the individual circumstances of the family and the purpose for which it has been requested.
How can a Private Family Report Assist?
Private Family Reports may be requested at the early stages of separation, during family law proceedings, or following therapeutic intervention where an independent overview of the family circumstances may assist.
A report may assist by:
identifying the key issues requiring consideration
providing an independent overview of the child and family circumstances
assisting families and professionals to better understand the child's needs
identifying whether further assessment, family therapy or other intervention may be beneficial
providing practical recommendations to assist future planning and child focused decision making
assisting legal representatives and, where appropriate, the Court by providing independent observations and recommendations relevant to the family's circumstances.
What may be in included in Reports
Early overview and assessment of what is in the child(ren)’s best interests and the benefits of a meaningful relationship with their parents.
An independent overview of the child and family circumstances, including parenting arrangements, family dynamics and the issues requiring consideration.
Consideration of the child's presentation, experiences and expressed views, together with parenting capacity, communication, identified risks and protective factors, where applicable.
Practical recommendations to assist families, legal representatives and, where appropriate, the Court in supporting future planning and child focused decision making.
Face-to-face consultations with each parent individually, followed by separate consultations with the child or children. Where appropriate, this may also include parent and child observations, child-led play observations, or additional consultations where considered beneficial to the report.
What is not included
Private Family Reports are not intended to replace psychological, psychiatric or other specialist assessments. They do not include -
Individual psychological assessments
Clinical diagnosis or the provision of any diagnosis
Comprehensive parent-child interaction assessments undertaken as part of a Court appointed Family Report.
Mental health assessments or Mental Health Care Plans
Comprehensive forensic or Court appointed Family Reports
Determination of legal issues or findings of fact
Review, critique or determination of previous reports, unless specifically requested and agreed as part of the scope of the report.
Outline of the Reporting Process
The reporting process is designed to provide families and professionals with a clear understanding of each stage of the report preparation process.
1. Enquiry
Reports may be requested by a family, legal representative, Independent Children's Lawyer or, where applicable, pursuant to Orders of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).
2. Referral, Consent and Initial Discussion
Legal representatives will provide a joint letter of instruction, relevant consent for the report to be undertaken, and advise of the parameters of the report.
Information regarding the reporting process, anticipated timeframes, fees and the proposed report will be provided, together with the opportunity to discuss any questions about the process.
Where relevant, supporting documentation should also be provided prior to consultations to allow sufficient time for review.
If the proposed report is not considered appropriate for the family's circumstances, recommendations regarding alternative services or pathways may also be discussed.
3. Intake and Documentation
Each adult party will be required to make initial contact to arrange their appointment, unless this has already been co-ordinated by their legal representative.
Prior to the commencement of consultations, each party will complete the intake process, including a client information form, background questionnaire and service agreement.
Appointments cannot proceed until the intake process has been completed.
4. Appointments
Individual consultations will generally be conducted with each parent, followed by separate consultations with the child or children.
Where appropriate, additional consultations, parent and child observations, or therapeutic observations may be recommended to assist in the preparation of the report.
Appointments are generally conducted face-to-face. Where distance or other circumstances make this impractical, online consultations may also be available.
Children are seen in a manner appropriate to their age, developmental stage and the purpose of the report.
5. Fees
Invoices are issued prior to the commencement of the reporting process. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or directed by the Court, it will be assumed that the costs of the report are shared equally and payment is required upon issue of the invoice.
6. Preparation of the Report
Following completion of all consultations and consideration of the relevant documentation, the report is prepared independently and tailored to the purpose for which it has been requested.
Every effort is made to complete reports within the anticipated timeframe. However, this may vary depending upon the complexity of the matter and the volume of documentation requiring consideration.
7. Release of the Report
Reports are released following completion of the reporting process and payment of all outstanding fees, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed or ordered.
