​A Family Report is an independent family assessment that assists you and the court in making decisions about your child or children. Family Reports are generally ordered when a case is progressing to a Final Hearing.

​In preparing the report, the Family Consultant considers the children’s experiences and development, the family circumstances and other issues relevant to the case. The Family Consultant makes recommendations for arrangements that will best meet the children’s future care, welfare and developmental needs.

​After a Family Report is ordered, you (and/or your lawyer – if you have one), will receive a letter or e-mail advising you of the appointment details (date/time/location) for you and the children to meet with the Family Consultant. When a Family Report has been assigned to a Regulation 7 Family Consultant, interviews with all parties will be conducted face to face at the Family Consultant’s office. Other arrangements can be made if there are safety concerns, or if one (or both) parties reside interstate.

If the Court has made an order for a Family Report, then you must attend the appointments with the Family Consultant as directed. If you do not attend, the report may not be able to be completed by the date set for the next hearing, which may result in delays and additional costs. Family Consultants are obliged to tell the Court if you do not attend. Appointments can generally only be changed in exceptional circumstances. If you have difficulties with the appointment time/s or where interviews are to be conducted, you should contact the Regulation 7 Family Consultant directly.

​If you have any concerns about your safety during the assessment and interview process, please let the Family Consultant know as soon as possible. Options for your safety will be discussed. The Court takes allegations of violence very seriously and a safety plan can be put in place when the Court is aware of concerns. By law, people must inform a court if there is an existing or pending family violence order involving themselves or their children. 

​Prior to your meeting, the Family Consultant has access to documents filed by both parties and will read documents as directed by the Court. You do not need to bring any other documents to the meetings.​ The Court may also direct that the Family Consultant have access to material which has been subpoenaed.

​A support person may attend the appointment with you, but it is up to the Family Consultant to decide whether your support person is included in the interview, and in what way. Please advise the Family Consultant of your wishes prior to your appointment, so this may be discussed with you.

​The Family Consultant will generally conduct a series of interviews with all parties in one day. They will have individual interviews with you and the other party. They may also interview other significant people, such as adult siblings, step or half siblings, partners or grandparents.

Your children will be seen separately from any adults (except in special circumstances). The children will be given an opportunity to express their views and wishes, but no child will be compelled to do so. The Family Consultant may also observe the interaction between the children and each parent (and other significant people) in separate observation sessions.

​Any information you provide to the Family Consultant is not confidential. All information gathered by the Family Consultant is admissible in court and can become evidence in your case. The Family Consultant is required to include all relevant information in the report, and may also provide this information verbally in Court, if they are called to appear for cross-examination.