Family
Although the breakdown of family relationships is devastating for everyone involved, its negative impact on children’s development, emotional well-being and ability to form attachments is particularly profound.
Clinical Psychology Associates recognises that minimising distress and protecting the interests of children requires a clear understanding of their emotional needs and, where necessary, an evaluation of the suitability of those caring for them. To this end, we undertake comprehensive assessments of the psychological well-being of children and their relationships with the adults involved in their care on behalf of social services departments, parents, guardians and professional carers.
The following are examples of instructions that have been received by our clinical psychologists:
- Assessment of the cognitive capacity of a parent to look after her children
- Assessment to facilitate a care order of the relationship between a child and his maternal grandmother
- Assessment of the suitability of a residential care service for a young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Assessment of the impact of a mother’s mental health problems on her children and her long-term suitability to provide care
- Assessment of a child’s parental relationships following a divorce
- Assessment of a child’s mental health following prolonged parental abuse, with a view to determining the most appropriate future placements
- Assessment of the risk posed to her children by a mother following a diagnosis of substance-induced psychosis
- Provision of expert witness testimony at hearings
- Provision of psychological treatment for mental health problems experienced by children and parenting training for parents, guardians and carers