Parent Infant Project Court Assessment Service

Capitalising on the combination of research and clinical experience, the Parent-Infant Project offers a comprehensive Court Assessment package.  The assessment addresses the attachment relationship between parents and their infants/toddlers, in the context of severe professional concern around risk to the child’s safety and/or development.

The assessment package comprises professionals meetings at the beginning and end of the assessment, sessions with the parent/s, child and therapist, administration of the Adult Attachment Interview or, more suitable for particular cases, the Parent Development Interview,  administration of the Bayley Infant Development Scales.

Parents usually experience this assessment process as a valuable reflective process, to the benefit of the infants. Often it is their first opportunity to discuss their past and present relationships and the influence these have had on their current parenting of their children.  In so doing it places professional concern in the context of their experiences and understanding, and facilitates greater collaboration in thinking about their child’s welfare. 

The cost of the package depends on the length of treatment agreed and the extent of the report required.

A guide to our court assessment process and fees is available on request to Sara Mitchell on +44 (0)20 7794 2313 or email  sara.mitchell@annafreud.org