Section 32 report and assessment

How can I arrange for you to do a Section 32 assessment?

If a parent or solicitor would like to discuss capacity, timeframes and a potential appointment you should email me on lavina@lavinatemple.com or call on 087 405 1583 to make an enquiry.

Although parents are welcome to call and make enquiries, an assessment cannot begin until a copy of the court order is received. It is also possible for one parent’s legal representation to confirm appointment to begin the process.

How much does a Section 32 cost in Ireland?

In January 2025 The Child Law Clinic in UCC published “Ascertaining the Views of Children in Guardianship, Custody and Access Proceedings in Ireland”, a report examining the participation of children in these family law matters. It was highlighted in this report that the price of Section 32 expert assessments / reports in Ireland can vary dramatically across the country and across professionals carrying out the reports – some charging as low as 800 euro with some charging as high as 5,000 euro.

It is critical that solicitors and parents understand the training, assessment experience and approach of who will complete the Section 32 assessment.

In some circumstances only Section 32(1)b is required which involves only establishing the voice of the child without a full assessment of matters affecting their welfare. A rough estimate for this assessor is 800 – 1,200 depending on location and number of children in the family.

It is more usual that an assessment is required under Section 32(1)a to include the voice of the child as per subsection (1)b. This assessor provides such an assessment for a cost of 2,500 – 3,500 Euro. The exact cost will depend on the complexity of the case, number of children in the family and location.

Please get in touch for a more precise quote and to discuss your circumstances.

Process of a Section 32 assessment

The general process when this assessor complete a Section 32 assessment and report is as follows;

1. Solicitor or courts office forwards the relevant court order to the assessor

2. Once initial fees are paid (see below) the assessor will contact both parties / parents

3. A schedule of meetings is provided to the family

4. Meeting with the parent that the child primarily resides with (2-3 hours)

5. Meeting with the child’s other parent (2-3 hours)

6. Meetings with the child:

   1. in their primary residence

   2. with each parent for observation if appropriate for the child

   3. in a neutral or preferred setting for the child

7. Contact with other relevant people in the child’s natural and professional network as deemed appropriate by the assessor and in collaboration with the parents

8. Feedback and follow up conversations with both parents – this may be in person, via telephone or online

9. Report writing

10. Submission of report to the court and both parties’ solicitors if legally represented

Complex Cases

A case will be deemed complex if thisv assessor is of the view that it would not be ethical to complete a welfare of the child report without further engagement taking place. Complex cases may include where there is ongoing Tusla involvement that requires the assessor to read a lot of reports or paperwork, where professional meetings might be required, if a child has additional needs that might require a slower pacing of interviewing therefore more visits to the child. Cases involving domestic abuse allegations or worries would likely be considered a complex case as the assessor holds skill in completing domestic abuse informed assessments and this would require a number of meetings with both parents.

Approach Used

This assessor is an experienced social worker and holds a MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy (Family Therapy). Assessments are approached with a holistic lens of the child’s life – considering them in the context of their age and stage of development, their family, community and other natural networks.

In working with children, this assessor uses creative methods of communication in line with children’s age and stage of development and any sensory or neurodiversity needs they may have.

Parents will be asked about their child and how they would be most comfortable, their interests and support need to guide the engagement. The assessor will talk to the child and use play and art materials.

Children have a right to participation in matters affecting their life. Even non-verbal or preverbal children can be central to assessment when the assessor is skilled with a deep understanding of child development. The assessor will always be ensuring the child’s voice is supported to be heard and communicated to the court even if their expressed wishes and views are not in line with what is assessed to be in their best interests – children have a right to be asked and heard and this assessor privileges the use of the Lundy model of child participation.

In working with parents, this assessor respects the idea that parents ultimately want their children to be safe and happy and deserve a collaborative approach in working through assessment. Exploring the multiple contexts that have led to parents being polarised in decisions concerning their child offers a wide lens to the child’s day to day lived experiences

and the assessor seeks to hold that lens rather than apportioning blame to any person in their life.