Family Report Writers are independent professionals, often qualified social workers or psychologists, who play a crucial role in family law parenting matters. Their role involves making observations and providing recommendations in a Family Report to assist the court in determining parenting arrangements that serve the best interests of the children following separation.

While Family Reports are sometimes ordered by the court, they can also be commissioned voluntarily by the parties involved. In cases where families engage the report writer without court involvement, the report can help parents develop realistic expectations and reach mutually agreeable arrangements about parenting time with their children, potentially avoiding the need for costly and stressful court proceedings. This process supports more amicable resolutions focused on child welfare.

What does a family report involve?

When meeting with a Family Report Writer, the family undergoes a detailed assessment through interviews and observations. Typically, each parent is interviewed separately, along with sessions observing interactions between the children and each parent. In addition, other important individuals in the children’s lives, such as step-parents, may also be interviewed and observed during separate observation sessions. Depending on the child’s age and capacity, the children themselves may be interviewed. Speaking directly with the children allows the Family Report Writer to understand their perspectives, concerns, and wishes for the future. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that the Family Report reflects the views and dynamics relevant to making informed decisions about parenting arrangements.

The following information is commonly discussed by the Family Report Writer to ensure a fair, unbiased report that allows the children’s safety and wellbeing to be the main focus:

• The parenting capacity of each parent
• Any potential risks or harm to the children
• The children’s relationship with other significant people
• The care arrangements throughout the relationship and post-separation
• The effect of any change in circumstances on the children
• The issues in dispute and how they can be resolved or reduced

It is important to note, – the Family Report Writer may also read relevant material before the Court such as affidavits of the parties or material which has been subpoenaed.

Parenting Coordination is a service provided by professionals with legal or social science backgrounds to parents who have final Court Orders or Parenting Plans addressing their children’s day-to-day arrangements. Its primary goal is to ensure parents comply with these orders or plans, assist in resolving disputes related to them, educate and monitor the parents, and enhance their communication and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, Parenting Coordination aims to help parents become more effective co-parents by focusing on their children’s needs rather than ongoing conflicts. This process serves as a form of dispute resolution, offering an alternative to repeated court appearances by addressing conflicts proactively and collaboratively outside the Federal Circuit and Family Law Court.

What does Parenting Coorindation Sessions involve?

A Parenting Coordinator (“PC”) will assist parties through education, communication strategies and management of disagreements which also includes assistance in interpreting Family Court orders and Parenting Plans. PCs will guide the parties through their post separation issues and ensure they achieve a child focused outcome by way of short to long-term ongoing involvement with the family.

Implementing parenting arrangements post separation can be challenging and it is usually a new concept for most parents. Parties can benefit from a PC assisting them to navigate the readjustment to day-to-day life as co-parents who are now living separately and apart.

Given a Parenting Coordination program requires a regular schedule of meetings with each other over a period of months or years, the assistance of a PC will guide parties through old and new challenges as they continue through a significant period of their co-parenting relationship.

The following information is related to Parenting Coordination sessions – Cairns:

• Sessions are scheduled regularly (usually fortnightly or monthly)
• Costs are shared by each parent
• 1- 1.5 hours regular sessions via videoconference
• Discuss issues with orders / parenting plan
• Discuss goals and expectations
• Establish / monitor / review communication protocols
• Keep the children’s needs in the foreground of all discussions and decisions