Family Assessment Service
The Family Assessment Service (FAS) is a partnership between the Anna Freud Centre and NHS Islington Primary Care Trust.
The service, which has been running since July 2006, is funded under a contract with Islington Children's Services (Children and Families Division) to provide expert child, parenting and family assessments for the family courts.
FAS provides independent expertise about children's best interests in care proceedings from child psychotherapy, family therapy, psychiatric and social work perspectives.
Assessments are undertaken with children living at home and in temporary foster care where children are considered at risk of serious harm or to require specialist help.
FAS considers parents with any family difficulties. It analyses what changes or support might be needed to ensure that their children can grow up safe and well at home.
The service will also consider alternative options that could benefit the child, such as living with relatives or adoption.
In its assessment and recommendations, FAS always aims to promote the children's best interests.
The service will initially run for three years, with a subsequent possibility for renewal.