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Assessments

Evidence-informed assessments to support safeguarding and responsible decision-making.

Assessments

Understanding social care assessments so you can stay calm, prepared and evidence-led.

When professionals say they are going to “do an assessment”, it can feel vague and threatening – especially if you are already dealing with abuse, trauma or court.

This page explains the main types of assessments you might face, what they are supposed to look at, and how to protect yourself and your children if the process feels unfair, biased or unsafe.

You do not have to go through this in the dark. 1VAA can help you understand every step.

What Is an Assessment?

An assessment is a process where a professional (usually a social worker or specialist) gathers information to decide:

  • Whether a child is safe
  • What risks may exist
  • What support is needed
  • Whether legal action (like care proceedings) might be taken

Assessments can feel one-sided, especially when you are a protective parent raising concerns that are not being heard. That is why it is vital to understand what should happen – and what to do if it doesn’t.

Common Types of Assessments

Social Care Assessments

These are usually carried out by Children’s Services and may include:

  • Initial / single assessment – a general look at your child’s situation, home and family.
  • Child in Need (CiN) assessment – where support is needed to improve outcomes.
  • Child Protection (CP) assessment – where there is a risk of significant harm.

Specialist Assessments

In more complex or high-risk situations, you may also encounter:

  • Psychological assessments (of you, the other parent or the children)
  • Parenting assessments (sometimes in residential or community settings)
  • Risk assessments (domestic abuse, coercive control, substance misuse, mental health)
  • Contact assessments / observations (how contact with the other parent is managed)

Some of these assessments are carried out by social workers, others by independent or court-appointed experts.

What an Assessment Should Look At

A lawful, child-focused assessment should:

  • Look at all available evidence – not just one person’s opinion
  • Consider the history and pattern of behaviour, not isolated incidents
  • Reflect both risks and protective factors
  • Take domestic abuse and coercive control seriously
  • Record the child’s voice clearly and faithfully
  • Include your views as a parent, in your own words
  • Be written in factual, professional language – not assumptions or labels

If an assessment does not do these things, it can and should be challenged.

Preparing for an Assessment

Good preparation helps you stay calm and ensures important information is not missed.

Before an assessment, try to:

  • Ask what type of assessment is being done and who will do it
  • Ask what the purpose is – what questions they are trying to answer
  • Gather key documents: incident log, chronology, important reports, key emails or letters
  • Think about your child’s needs, daily routines, strengths and worries
  • Write down any concerns about the other parent’s behaviour and risks to the child
  • Consider any additional needs (disability, language barriers, trauma, cultural context)

1VAA can help you prepare a short summary for the assessor so your core points are clear from the beginning.

During the Assessment

When you meet with the assessor:

  • Stay as calm and factual as you can, even if you feel judged
  • Bring your notes – it is okay to refer to them
  • Ask them to explain any professional terms you don’t understand
  • Correct factual errors politely in the moment if you notice them
  • If you feel unsafe with the other parent present, say so clearly and ask for separate sessions
  • If you have experienced abuse, make sure this is clearly stated and linked to evidence where possible

You are allowed to express disagreement with the other parent’s version of events. You are not required to agree “for the sake of peace” when it is not true.

After the Assessment

Once the assessment is complete:

  • Ask for a written copy of the assessment report
  • Read it slowly, preferably when you are calm and supported
  • Highlight any factual inaccuracies or statements that are not evidence-based
  • Note where your views or your child’s views have been omitted or twisted
  • Check whether domestic abuse and coercive control have been properly recognised

You can then write a written response to the assessment, setting out clearly:

  • What you agree with
  • What you dispute (with reasons and evidence)
  • Any additional information that was not considered

1VAA can help you draft this response in a calm, professional way that can be used in meetings or court.

Red Flags in Assessments

Some warning signs that an assessment may be unsafe, biased or flawed include:

  • Minimal or no reference to domestic abuse, coercive control or stalking
  • Blaming you for the abuser’s behaviour (“failure to protect”) without recognising the abuse
  • Describing you as “hostile”, “alienating” or “uncooperative” because you raise safeguarding concerns
  • Ignoring or dismissing children’s disclosures or trauma behaviours
  • Failing to mention key evidence (police reports, medical records, school concerns)
  • Using labels instead of facts (e.g. “high conflict” rather than describing what has actually happened)
  • Copy-and-paste style reports with very little detail specific to your family

If you recognise these red flags, it is vital to challenge the assessment and ask for review or independent oversight.

Challenging an Assessment

You are allowed to challenge assessments that are inaccurate, biased or unsafe. This may include:

  • Writing a formal response and asking for it to be attached to the assessment
  • Requesting a meeting with the social worker and their manager
  • Requesting a second opinion or independent assessment (especially in court proceedings)
  • Making a complaint through the local authority or professional regulator
  • Raising concerns with your solicitor or legal representative
  • Escalating to oversight bodies where there is serious risk or misconduct

1VAA can help you:

  • Identify the key problems in an assessment
  • Gather evidence that contradicts incorrect findings
  • Draft clear, structured responses and complaint letters

How 1VAA Can Help With Assessments

As a 1VAA member you can access:

  • Guides to different assessment types and what to expect
  • Checklists for preparation before you meet assessors
  • Support reading and understanding assessment reports
  • Help highlighting inaccuracies and bias
  • Templates for written responses and complaints
  • Links between assessment issues and wider legal / court strategies

We help you stay organised, factual and protected when “assessment” is being used in a way that feels threatening rather than supportive.

If You Need Help Right Now

If you are facing an assessment and you are scared of losing your children, or you feel that professionals are not listening to the reality of abuse, we are here.

Register for support or become a member and we will help you prepare for assessments and respond safely to anything that is written about you.