Understanding Parenting Assessments

A plain-language overview of the purpose, scope, and usual steps in a parenting assessment in British Columbia.

The assessor’s role

A parenting assessment gathers information relevant to the questions the assessor has been asked to address. Its scope may be narrow or comprehensive, depending on the court order or other written terms.

The assessor provides professional opinions within that scope. The assessor does not decide the family-law dispute. Legal decisions remain with the court or, where permitted, with the parties.

What may be considered

Under section 211 of British Columbia’s Family Law Act, a court may appoint a person to assess one or more of a child’s needs, the child’s views, and a party’s ability and willingness to meet the child’s needs. The precise questions vary from one matter to another.

Depending on the scope, the process may include interviews, review of relevant records, information from collateral sources, parent-child observations, and other professionally appropriate methods. Not every assessment includes every method.

Read section 211 of the Family Law Act — https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11025_10#section211

What to expect

The assessor should explain the scope of the work, the anticipated process, fees, timing, and the limits of confidentiality before substantive work begins. Participants may be asked to attend interviews, provide records or authorizations, identify collateral sources, and participate in observations.

Assessment information may be included in a written report provided in accordance with the applicable court order and legal process. Ask the assessor how information will be collected, used, stored, and reported.

Children’s participation

How a child participates depends on the child’s age, development, circumstances, and the purpose of the assessment. An assessor should explain the process to the child in a developmentally appropriate way.

Children should not be placed in the position of deciding the family dispute. They should receive a clear, age-appropriate explanation of the limits of privacy within the assessment.

What an assessment is not

A parenting assessment is not therapy, mediation, legal representation, or a guarantee of a particular outcome. An assessor is not the advocate of either parent and does not take instructions from a child about the result of the case.

An assessment cannot replace legal advice. Questions about rights, evidence, court procedure, or how to respond to a report should be directed to a lawyer or other qualified legal resource.

Choosing an assessor

Before retaining an assessor, ask about professional qualifications, regulatory status, relevant experience, services offered, conflicts of interest, methods, timing, fees, travel, accessibility, and current availability. Confirm that the assessor can undertake the specific work described in the order or retainer.

PARS provides access to member profiles but does not recommend one member over another.

Find an assessor — https://www.bcparentingassessors.ca/directory

This page provides general educational information only and is not legal or clinical advice.