Private Law Child Arrangement Orders - Residence and Contact

Residence and Contact Assessments for Private Law Proceedings

MHA Professional Services provides independent social work assessments for private law children matters involving residence and contact. These applications can be complex, particularly where parents have become locked into conflict and where the focus has shifted away from the needs, welfare and lived experience of the child.

Our assessments are child focused, independent and evidence based. They are designed to help courts, solicitors, barristers and families better understand the child’s circumstances, the quality of parental care, the impact of conflict and the arrangements that are most likely to promote safety, stability and positive outcomes.

We have particular expertise in high conflict, entrenched and long running private law disputes. In these situations, clear analysis is essential. Our independent social workers are experienced in assessing family dynamics, parental capacity, risk, emotional harm, attachment needs, communication difficulties and the practical arrangements required to support safe and meaningful relationships.

We recognise that residence and contact disputes can be emotionally challenging for everyone involved. Our role is to provide a balanced, professional and child centred assessment that supports decision making and keeps the welfare of the child at the heart of the process.

Online Access for ISW Services

This service has been designed to provide solicitors, barristers and local authorities with rapid access to the CVs and availability of our independent social workers when services need to be agreed quickly, for example when professionals are in a court setting.

It provides additional reassurance that deadlines and submission dates for assessments can be met. Professionals simply sign up to the service and, once approved, can access ISW information on their laptops, tablets or mobile telephones.

Please click here to sign up for online access.

Why choose MHA Professional Services for residence and contact assessments

Commissioners choose MHA Professional Services because our residence and contact assessments combine independence, professional expertise, clear analysis and a strong focus on the welfare of the child. We understand that private law disputes can be highly emotive and that assessments must be balanced, robust and able to withstand scrutiny.

Our strengths include:

• Experienced independent social workers with strong private law expertise

• Child focused assessments that prioritise welfare, safety and emotional needs

• Particular expertise in high conflict, entrenched and long running disputes

• Clear analysis of family dynamics, parental capacity and the impact of conflict

• Balanced recommendations that support effective court decision making

• Transparent timescales and clear communication throughout the assessment process

• Structured quality assurance to ensure consistency and professional standards

• Rapid access to practitioner availability through our online access system

Our service is built around integrity, professionalism and a commitment to safeguarding. We aim to support solicitors, barristers, courts and families by delivering assessments that are clear, fair and grounded in sound social work practice. Above all, our work is shaped by the understanding that decisions about residence and contact can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s life.

FAQs

What is a residence and contact assessment?

A residence and contact assessment is an independent social work assessment that considers where a child should live and how they should spend time with each parent or other significant family members. The assessment focuses on the child’s welfare, safety, emotional needs, relationships and day to day experiences. It provides professional analysis and recommendations to assist decision making in private law proceedings.

Who commissions residence and contact assessments?

Residence and contact assessments are usually commissioned by solicitors, barristers, courts or other professionals involved in private law children proceedings. They may be requested where the court requires an independent view of the child’s circumstances, the parents’ capacity to meet the child’s needs, or the arrangements that would best support the child’s welfare.

What types of private law cases do you work with?

We work with a wide range of private law children matters, including disputes about where a child should live, how much time they should spend with each parent, concerns about parental conflict, allegations of risk, difficulties with communication and long running cases where previous arrangements have broken down. We have particular expertise in high conflict and intractable disputes.

How does the assessment remain child focused?

Our independent social workers place the child’s welfare at the centre of the assessment. This means considering the child’s wishes and feelings where appropriate, their emotional and developmental needs, their relationships with each parent, their experience of conflict and any safeguarding concerns. The assessment is not designed to favour either parent, but to provide an independent and balanced analysis of what is likely to promote the child’s best interests.

Can you assess high conflict or long running private law disputes?

Yes. MHA Professional Services has particular expertise in high conflict, entrenched and long running private law disputes. These cases often require careful analysis of parental behaviour, communication patterns, emotional harm, risk, attachment needs and the child’s lived experience. Our assessments aim to provide clarity where family conflict has become complex or prolonged.

How quickly can a residence and contact assessment be allocated?

Timescales depend on the complexity of the case, the number of parties involved and the court timetable. However, our online access system and established network of independent social workers allow us to respond quickly to urgent requests. We agree clear deadlines at the outset and maintain communication throughout the process to support timely completion.

Are your reports suitable for court proceedings?

Yes. Our reports are prepared by experienced independent social workers and are designed to support decision making in court proceedings. Each assessment is evidence based, analytical and subject to quality assurance. We focus on producing reports that are balanced, clear and able to withstand professional and legal scrutiny.