Court Assessment Service
The Anna Freud Centre Court Assessment team is a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Consultant Psychiatrist, Family Therapist, Educational Psychologist and Child Psychotherapist.
The team carries out comprehensive assessments of children and families in court proceedings. The majority of families assessed are from London and the South East.
Usually children are in foster care when they are referred to the AFC, although the best interests of the children are always the central concern. For example, children will only be rehabilitated to their parents when it is safe to do so.
Referrals are made jointly by Guardians ad litem, Social Services, and the parents' solicitors.
Family members are seen individually and together, both at the Anna Freud Centre and in the community (home, school, and so on).
The process of the assessment begins with a network meeting involving all the professionals concerned and the parents in the family.
Efforts are made to ensure that family members understand the assessment process and have the opportunity to give their views and ask questions at all points in the process.
Team members write a comprehensive report and attend court for cross-examination at the final hearing.
Sometimes families return to the Centre for therapeutic work after the final hearing, and the team also offers advice and consultation to social workers and foster carers involved with parents and children before, during and after court proceedings.