Parenting Capacity Guide

What is a Parenting Capacity Assessment?  When is a parenting capacity assessment used?  What are your rights?

• A parenting capacity assessment is a comprehensive, child-focused evaluation by a registered psychologist that reviews a caregiver’s ability to meet a child’s needs and ensure safety and well-being. Findings help courts or child protection agencies make best-interest decisions.
  Areas typically covered:
• Child development, safety, and attachment
• Parenting knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and insight
• Family relationships, routines, and supports
• Risk and protective factors (e.g., substance use, mental health, violence)
• Cultural context and, where relevant, Indigenous considerations

• In Newfoundland and Labrador parenting capacity assessments may be ordered or requested in custody/parenting disputes and in child protection proceedings under provincial family law and children’s legislation and Federal Divorce Act factors may apply for married parents.

The process at a glance:

• Referral & scope — court order or written referral defines the questions.
• Informed consent — limits of confidentiality, disclosure, and mandatory reporting explained.
• Interviews — caregivers and child (as appropriate) plus collateral contacts.
• Observation — parent–child interactions in naturalistic and/or structured settings.
• Records & collateral — review school/medical/CYF/police records as authorized.
• Standardized tools — validated measures as appropriate; never used in isolation.
• Integration — weigh strengths, risks, and feasible supports against referral questions.
• Feedback — summary of findings to parties as permitted by the order/referral.

• Right to know the assessor’s role, scope, and who receives the report.
• Parenting capacity assessment participation may be voluntary or court-ordered; get legal advice if unsure.
• Assessors must be impartial and follow professional standards; limits of confidentiality apply.
• Information may be shared with the court and parties as set out in the order/referral.
• Accommodation needs (disability, language) should be identified early.

Do:

• Read the referral/order to understand the questions.
• Bring relevant documents (court orders, school letters, medical notes).
• Think about your child’s strengths, needs, and routines.
• Be honest and child-focused in interviews and observations.

Avoid:

• Coaching the child on what to say.
• Sharing unverified allegations without documents.
• Using the assessment to re-litigate unrelated disputes.