The assessment process
Our assessors meet with each parent on one or two occasions at our office in Chiswick. The meetings are quite structured, with questions being asked about past and present experiences. Parents are also asked to complete a number of questionnaires with the help of the assessor. We normally spend some five to six hours with each parent. The assessor(s) will also review the court bundle, and any other official records (e.g. police, child protection or medical records.).
This information is then used to arrive at a formulation of risk after considering a standardised range of empirically validated risk factors. The report will also advise on risk management and risk reduction strategies. We can usually submit a report within eight weeks of receiving instructions.
This information is then used to arrive at a formulation of risk after considering a standardised range of empirically validated risk factors. The report will also advise on risk management and risk reduction strategies. We can usually submit a report within eight weeks of receiving instructions.
Information needed at the time of referral
- Letter of instruction from the lead solicitor
- Contact details for all the parties involved and their legal representatives
- A copy of the court order (where appropriate)
- The court bundle, or if the case is not in proceedings, a chronology of significant events and an outline of the child protection concerns
- The parties’ criminal records and any other police intelligence available
- Indication of how the costs will be divided between the parties.
Click on the links below to download our referral form
| pai_referral_form.docx |
Click on the links below to download information about costs and timescales
| pai_leaflet_public_law_august_2018.docx |
| pai_leaflet_public_law_one_parent_only_august_2018.docx |
| pai_leaflet_private_law_august_2018.docx |
Why commission a specialist domestic violence risk assessment?
Review written by Dr Chris Newman for Respect.
| dv_risk__assessment_review_-_recommendations.pdf |
Full report
| dv_risk_assessment_review_full_report.pdf |