Assessments of psychological functioning If the referrer has more general concerns about the extent to which mental health difficulties affect a parent’s functioning, we can provide formal screening for psychopathology, using well-respected self-report inventories alongside a clinical interview.
Whilst it is beyond the area of expertise of a psychologist to make diagnoses, the report can comment on any observed indications of mental health problems or personality difficulties and make recommendations for treatment to address these.
Please note that a psychological assessment does not replace the need for a risk/safety assessment – the presence of mental health difficulties is not necessarily a risk indicator, and many people who pose high risk do not have an identifiable mental health difficulty.
Also, referrers should be aware that because of the comprehensive nature of our family safety assessments, we cannot provide additional assessments of cognitive and or psychological functioning within the Legal Aid Agency’s guideline hours allowance for a single assessment. Such assessments therefore need to be commissioned separately.
Whilst it is beyond the area of expertise of a psychologist to make diagnoses, the report can comment on any observed indications of mental health problems or personality difficulties and make recommendations for treatment to address these.
Please note that a psychological assessment does not replace the need for a risk/safety assessment – the presence of mental health difficulties is not necessarily a risk indicator, and many people who pose high risk do not have an identifiable mental health difficulty.
Also, referrers should be aware that because of the comprehensive nature of our family safety assessments, we cannot provide additional assessments of cognitive and or psychological functioning within the Legal Aid Agency’s guideline hours allowance for a single assessment. Such assessments therefore need to be commissioned separately.
Click on the links below to download information on costs and timescales
| pai_leaflet_private_law_august_2018.docx |
| pai_leaflet_public_law_august_2018.docx |
| pai_leaflet_public_law_one_parent_only_august_2018.docx |