Family Law Assessments

  Section 32/47 Assessment 

Section 32 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (as inserted by section 63   of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015) provides that a court may appoint an expert to determine and convey the child’s views (known as a ‘voice of the child report’). At Caidreamh we provide a comprehensive service to children and families engaged in the difficult process of separation. The team receives referrals from the court and solicitors acting on behalf of families.

  • Such a report will simply provide the child’s opinion and views to the court. It normally involves one or two meetings between the child and a member of the team at Caidreamh. This practitioner speaks with and  listens to the child’s wishes and then apply psychological theory to this to identify what is in their best interests.
  • It includes a meeting with both parents. At Caidreamh we sometimes complete telephone calls with professionals that have had involvement with the family historically.

If you are a parent who has been referred to our service you will be invited to meet the team, to complete some information about your family and your experiences prior to this meeting. We will also in most cases meet with your children individually to ascertain their views. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and to communicate your views.

We will produce a report for the court and may be asked from time to time to attend court to communicate about our assessment. for more information please contact Carmel Jennings using Carmel@caidreamh.ie