Phycological assessment

[SDM32]

Hi my 2 daughters are in foster placement I have so many question but this is my latest one befor court process everybody was happy for me to have the kids I’m my care. But I did a phycological assessment when I was ill and my mum was dying I was in a pretty bad place anyway befor all that my solicitor said I had a good chance but now the phycological report has come out it is pretty bad for me saying that I can’t parent the kids even though every report the sw did it stated when I was home the place was clean tidy and relaxed great place for the kids is there anyway that I can get a new report as you can’t recognise me in this report

Thankyou

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear SDM32

Welcome to the parents discussion board and thank you for posting.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group.

I see from your post that you are worried about the opinion of the psychologist that you are not able to parent your children safely. You do not say why it was considered necessary of you to have a psychological assessment. Your question is whether you can have a further assessment which may give a different outcome because you think the psychologist reached the view in the report at a time when you were unwell and you were also about to lose your mum.

Whether or not you can have a further assessment is something you should discuss with your solicitor. If, as you say, prior to the report social workers were happy for the children to be in your care, it is not clear why the children were removed from you and court proceedings started by children’s services. It may be that you have worked to address whatever concerns existed at the time your children were removed. Your legal representatives will be able to question the psychologist final hearing if they are if the view that things are not clear or no account was taken of the fact that you were unwell and going through a difficult time.

It would be for the judge to decide if a further report is needed to add to the evidence already before the court. You can ask your solicitor whether their advice is to ask the court for the opportunity to instruct another psychologist. The solicitor knows your case and has all the information so can give you more specific advice. I can advise only on the information in your post.

Please read our advice sheet Care (and related) proceedings, page 18 onward gives information about what happens once the case relating to care proceedings start.

If you would like to speak to an adviser, please telephone our free confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Suzie

[Noname]

Can you tell me how was you psychological assessment? Please I will have one and dont have idea how it will be
What do they ask you?

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Noname

Thank you for your further post. Sorry that you are only now receiving a response.

You are seeking advice/feedback about having a psychological assessment.

I am responding to your post to give some information although I am not able to give you specific questions that you might be asked by a psychologist. The purpose of the assessment is usually to assess a person’s cognitive function, that is, how they understand and process information.

In the assessment the psychologist may ask questions about how you understand something you have read, how you remember things. I have included a link from our A-Z of terms relating to psychological assessment here for your information.

As you are in care proceedings, I assume that you have legal representation, so suggest that anything regarding your case that you are unsure about you should ask your solicitor to explain.

A letter of instruction will be sent to the psychologist and is likely to have some of the questions that he or she is expected to include as part of the assessment. Both your solicitor and you will be able to see and comment on this letter.

You may also find it helpful to read our advice sheet about care proceedings.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie