PCEA specialises in offering a range of psychological assessment services for families, legal professionals, local authorities and schools. We provided a trusted expert witness service within the family court system. We also offer private neurodevelopmental assessment services for families and other agencies , specialising in FASD, ASD and ADHD.
Expert Witness Services
Psychological Assessment
As expert witnesses, we are instructed to undertake psychological assessments of parents and children within private and public family law cases. Psychological assessments aim to provide a detailed understanding of why an individual is functioning as are in their lives, the strengths and weaknesses they have, and how these relate to proceedings. When assessing parents, we aim to understand how a parents’ own historical experiences may be impacting upon the care they provide to their children. In assessing children, we seek to understand how their experiences of being parented to date have affected them, whether there may be any other confounding issues such as learning and neurodevelopmental problems, and what support they – and their parents – may need in the future. Our reports contain detailed formulations as to how entire family systems have functioned to date, and in turn advise on how the children are best safeguarded in the future. The safety and welfare of the children involved in proceedings is always our number one priority.
Cognitive Assessment
When parents are in care proceedings, there can sometimes be concerns about their ability to understand the concerns of professionals, and to take on-board and act on recommendations necessary for change. When this is the case, a cognitive assessment can be requested to provide a standardised and reliable perspective of the parent’s intellectual functioning and what this means about their ability to engage meaningfully in proceedings. Recommendations for support will be made where a parent is found to have cognitive challenges.
Capacity Assessment
When parents are in care proceedings and there are concerns that they may have a significant learning disability or be suffering from severe mental health problems, a capacity assessment can be requested. This is often requested alongside a cognitive assessment. A capacity assessment is completed by a practitioner psychologist who will assess whether an individual is able to understand the proceedings, and to make their own decisions in relation to them. It is very important to establish capacity in parents within care proceedings where there is any doubt, to safeguard all involved.
Forensic Assessment
At PCEA we have associates who are forensic psychologists and able to provide forensic risk assessments of parents involved in care proceedings, where there are concerns about the level of ongoing risk an individual may represent to the children or other adults involved. Our associates can also take instructions within criminal law cases where assessment of risk is required.
Neurodevelopmental Assessment Services
FASD Assessments
Dr Cassie Jackson provides specialist assessments for children and young people suspected of having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). For those who do not have a diagnosis, this includes thorough neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological assessment to ascertain whether a child or young person meets diagnostic threshold as dictated by SIGN 156.
Please note, for FASD to be confirmed, genetic screening (CGH microarray) must be completed to rule out the small possibility of a chromosomal abnormality contributing to the child’s presenting problems. This can be obtained before or after assessment. It is also important that there is strong evidence of prenatal exposure to alcohol and/or other substances.
Updating FASD-specific neuropsychological assessments are also available for children or young people who have a pre-existing FASD diagnosis. This can be particularly helpful at key transition points in childhood, such as moving up to secondary school, or planning for independence in late adolescence. The trajectory of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with FASD evolves over the course of childhood, which means their needs also change significantly. An in-depth updating assessment can pin-point key areas of need due to a child’s specific areas of difficulty relating to their diagnosis, and how this translates in their general functioning; be this in education, socially, or otherwise. Dr Jackson often provides such assessments for care leavers to ascertain the extent to which they can live safe independent lives, and key areas of vulnerability where they exist.
Please note, for FASD to be confirmed, genetic screening (CGH microarray) must be completed to rule out the small possibility of a chromosomal abnormality contributing to the child’s presenting problems. This can be obtained before or after assessment. It is also important that there is strong evidence of prenatal exposure to alcohol and/or other substances.
Updating FASD-specific neuropsychological assessments are also available for children or young people who have a pre-existing FASD diagnosis. This can be particularly helpful at key transition points in childhood, such as moving up to secondary school, or planning for independence in late adolescence. The trajectory of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with FASD evolves over the course of childhood, which means their needs also change significantly. An in-depth updating assessment can pin-point key areas of need due to a child’s specific areas of difficulty relating to their diagnosis, and how this translates in their general functioning; be this in education, socially, or otherwise. Dr Jackson often provides such assessments for care leavers to ascertain the extent to which they can live safe independent lives, and key areas of vulnerability where they exist.
ASD Assessment
At PCEA, we provide NICE-compliant assessments of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) for children and adults. This involves an assessment of cognitive functioning, a speech and language assessment, and use of other autism-specific assessment tools. We also collect information from family and school (for children) to gain a good understanding of how the child or young person is functioning in all environments. We provide individual feedback following assessments, including signposting for onward support.
ADHD Assessment
At PCEA, we provide NICE-compliant assessments of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for children and adults. This involves an assessment of cognitive functioning in addition to ADHD-specific assessment tools and protocols. In the case of children, we aim to gather information from their school as well as from parents or carers, to understand how they are functioning in all environments. We provide individual feedback following assessments, including signposting for onward support.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Dr Cassie Jackson and associates offer in-depth neuropsychological assessments for children, young people, and adults to provide a holistic understanding of why they may be having difficulties in their education, work, or general functioning in life. Neuropsychological assessment can be extremely helpful to best understand individuals with the following histories:
- Prematurity
- Exposure to teratogens in pregnancy such as certain prescribed medications, illicit substances, or alcohol (see FASD.)
- Birth complications and hypoxic injuries.
- Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD, ADHD, epilepsy, FASD.
- Traumatic or acquired brain injuries.
- General learning or developmental concerns.
- Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
A detailed report is provided, alongside follow-up video consultation. Our assessment reports are frequently used to support EHCP assessment or reviews, and also to inform about other needs and associated support into adulthood.
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