Warm, compassionate and knowledgeable social work services for children of separated parents and their families.
Our Services
Family Reports
A Family Report is an independent assessment which offers guidance and recommendations in respect of post-separation parenting arrangements for children. These reports are prepared based on information supplied by parents and other significant adults, and by the children of the family themselves via supportive, individual interviews. Observations of interactions between family members also informs these assessments. We accept referrals from lawyers, or directly from parents and adult caregivers.
Family Report interviews and observations are undertaken in our spacious and homely consulting rooms in beautiful Samford, only a 40 minute drive North West of the Brisbane CBD. Appointments for interviews are offered on Saturdays and occasional Sundays to accommodate busy family schedules. We use the premises of Samford Psychology, a large converted Queenslander which offers ample space for children to play indoors, private waiting areas if required and a large outdoor space for families to utilise. The premises is located within the Samford Lifestyle Centre which includes a farm walk (free), a cafe and several small retailers. Our wonderfully appointed location and the surrounds means that the inevitable stress that comes with participating in a family report for both children and adults is reduced by the tranquil, child friendly environment that we offer.
Alternatively, arrangements can be negotiated to conduct Family Report interviews within children’s homes. This offers children, and parents, the opportunity to engage in the interview process in their familiar, natural environments. Please refer to our frequently asked questions page for more detailed information.
Child Inclusive Mediation
When parents engage a mediator to assist them in negotiating parenting arrangements, children can be given the opportunity to participate in the process by discussing their views and wishes with an independent person, taking the role of a Child Consultant in the process, prior to the mediation. The Child Consultant invites each parent to participate in private discussion ahead of time to provide background information about the family situation and the children. The purpose of these discussions is to ensure that the Child Consultant has all relevant information needed to shape the subsequent interviews with the children and the content of the discussion is not disclosed to the other parent or the children. The Child Consultant then interviews the children individually. The mediation process and Child Consultant’s role is explained to each child in an age-appropriate way, and the children are advised that the information they provide will be passed on to their parents to help them with making plans for the future for the family. It is emphasised that the children do not have to ‘choose’ or express a view if they do not wish to, and that they are not obligated to discuss anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
The Child Consultant can then participate in the mediation process in two ways. The first option is that the Child Consultant attends the initial part of the mediation and either jointly or individually relays to the parents and the mediator what the child/ren said during their interview. Alternatively, the Child Consultant can be engaged to co-facilitate the mediation and remain present throughout the day to support the process and provide advice and consultation in respect of the issues being discussed in respect of the children.
Preliminary/Interim Family Assessment
A preliminary family assessment involves similar processes to a Family Report in terms of interviews with parents and children, and observations under some circumstances. The scope of the information gathered for these assessments is narrower, and the resulting report is condensed and focussed on interim issues affecting the children and family. Such reports can be a useful tool in subsequent mediation processes, or in providing guidance in situations where issues of risk exist in one or both households.
Child/Parent Estrangement Counselling and Reunification contact
In situations where a child or sibling group has become estranged from a parent, and the family agrees that it is appropriate for attempts to made to repair these relationships, we offer individual counselling for children and parents; and facilitate reunification contact where this is deemed appropriate.
Children’s Views and Wishes Report
This is a brief report which involves interviews with children only. Written information from parents can also be considered to aid in preparation for and conducting child interviews. These reports do not contain recommendations, however summarise the perspective offered by the child/ren, and where appropriate can also contain commentary on relevant considerations in terms of chid development and other factors. These reports can be used to assist in mediation and upon request the writer can offer the additional service of consultancy during mediation.