A Parental Capacity Assessment is a structured, evidence-informed evaluation of a parent or caregiver's ability to provide for a child’s safety, development, and emotional wellbeing. It explores parenting strengths, risk factors, insight into the child’s needs, and capacity for sustained change, helping to inform recommendations around reunification, placement, or support needs.

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Families can expect a respectful, transparent, and collaborative process. Assessments are typically conducted over several sessions and may occur at home, in the community, or in a clinical setting. Parents will be invited to share their experiences, demonstrate their parenting, and participate in structured activities or discussions with their child. Our practitioners are committed to cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed practice, and supporting families to participate fully in the process.

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How is the Assessment Conducted?
 

Our assessment process includes:

• File review and background information gathering

• Structured interviews with parents and significant others

• Observations of parent-child interactions

• Use of standardised tools (where clinically appropriate)

• Liaison with involved professionals (e.g., caseworkers, schools)

• Cultural and trauma-informed practice across all stages
   

Assessments are typically conducted over 4–6 weeks and can occur in-home, in community, or in clinical settings.

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Parental Capacity Assessments can be requested by:

• Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) caseworkers

• Out-of-home care (OOHC) service providers

• Legal representatives

• Children’s Court clinicians

• Guardian ad Litem or Independent Children’s Lawyers

 

All referrals must be supported by relevant documentation outlining the purpose, background, and specific concerns to be addressed.

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Upon acceptance of a referral, the standard timeframes are as follows:

• Initial appointment offered within 10 business days

• Assessment completed over a 4–6 week period

• Final report delivered within 10 business days after completion of the final assessment session

 

Urgent assessments may be considered based on clinician availability and complexity.