Section 32 delays
Once such report; the “Section 32” is of particular concern when considering these bottlenecks. The report is commissioned in order for the Judge to hear the voice of the child and determine their welfare. Court Ordered Child and family reports take a long time to process in order for the case to be heard. Often other proceedings cannot go ahead until this particular report is submitted to the court.Voice of the child stifled
Section 32 reports have such long waiting lists to be completed, that some courts do not even order them. This is a worrying trend, considering children’s welfare and the right for their voice to be heard under many human rights and child laws.Considering Section 32 Reports – Caroline Goldsmith Consulting Clinical Psychologist, is a leading clinician in this area having completed many such reports for courts, to determine the best interests of the child and for the court to hear their voice. Ms Goldsmith states “Parents should not confuse the courts’ agreement to hear the ‘Voice of the child’ with children making their own determinations to the court. If a child has been coached for example, to favor one parent over another this will come through in the Section 32 assessment and reporting process. Such damaging strategies often backfire on the parent trying to exclude the other parent from the child’s life.
Section 32 Expert Caroline Goldsmith
A good Section 32 Report will be beneficial in assisting the court to determine the best interests of the child and to hear their voice. It is essential this is undertaken by a clinician with comprehensive experience of child and adolescent pathology.
Section 32 Reports currently have a turnaround time of 30 days in our Dublin and Cork Clinics and can be done similarly nationwide. Call for a quote and time frame to have a Section 32
report completed. Continue reading Court Assessments Section 32 Reports Caroline Goldsmith