SOCIAL EMOTIONAL EVALUATION OF A CHILD.

1. What is a social emotional evaluation of a child?

The social emotional evaluation of the child is to evaluate all the systems and relationships in the child's living world as well as the child's emotional functioning and experiences of these relationships and systems. The evaluation aims to identify and understand different factors, during a separation or divorce which influences the child's current experiences in his/her living world, and to formulate recommendations in the best interest of the child.

2. When do I need my child to be social emotional evaluated?

A child need to be evaluated when his/her living circumstances has changed due to a separation, divorce, or when a change in his/her behaviour has been noticed. The evaluation of a child is also paramount to establish the needs and perceptions of the child within a divorce proceeding in regards to drafting of a parental plan or settlement agreement or when in dispute regarding the primary care and contact arrangements of the child.

3. How is the evaluation done?

The evaluation process is started with a basic interview with the parents which focus on the child's developmental history and current status. A developmental observational screening of the child is completed in the next phase. Various age appropriate techniques and media is used to assess the social-emotional functioning of the child. This involves an evaluation of all the systems in the child's world, relationships with primary caregivers and significant others, emotional experiences of the child, evaluation of how the child sees him/herself, the presence or lack of secure attachments and possible trauma in the child's life. 

4. The process of the social emotional assessment consists of the following procedures:

a)    2 individual sessions with the child of 45-60 minutes each.

b)    Parent-child (mother) Interactional Evaluation of 50 minutes.

c)    Parent-child (father) Interactional Evaluation of 50 minutes.

d)    1 Consultation with the parent (mother).

e)    1 Consultation with the parent (father).

f)     Parents need to complete a series of questionnaires regarding the child’s development,         temperament, as well as attachment.

g)    Report from the school.

h)    Feedback session with parents and mediator when mediator was part of the referral.

i)     Report will be issued within 9-12 weeks after last session or feedback session.

The sessions are schedule not less than a week apart.

The sessions are scheduled not later than 13h00 for pre-schoolers due to cognitive and emotional considerations.

Matters of urgencies are handled differently.

COSTS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

SOME OF THE MEDICAL AIDS DO COVER SOCIAL WORK SERVICES. PAID INVOICES WILL BE ISSUED THAT COULD BE CLAIMED BACK FROM MEDICAL AID IF COVERED FOR SOCIAL WORK SERVICES.