Child Development & Attachment
Expert Psychological Assessments for Court and Legal Proceedings
Purpose of Child Development and Attachment Assessments
Child development and attachment assessments help the court understand how a child is functioning emotionally, socially, and cognitively, and how secure they feel with the key adults in their life. The emphasis is on the child’s experience rather than only adult descriptions of their needs and behaviour.
These assessments complement Parental Capacity Assessments and often appear alongside them in family proceedings.
Understanding the Child’s World
The court needs a grounded view of how a child is coping with:
Parental separation or changes in residence
Exposure to conflict, abuse, or instability
Shifts in contact arrangements or care plans
Developmental and attachment assessments look at:
Emotional regulation and mood
Behaviour at home and in school
Relationships with caregivers and siblings
The child’s views and wishes, when appropriate
Age-appropriate interviews, play-based sessions, and observation are used to build a picture of the child’s internal world.
Attachment and Emotional Security
Attachment assessments explore how safe, understood, and supported a child feels with each caregiver. Key questions include:
How does the child seek comfort or support when distressed?
How does the caregiver respond – calmly, predictably, and sensitively, or in a way that increases fear or confusion?
Does the child feel torn between parents, pressured to take sides, or worried about pleasing everyone?
Is there any indication of disorganised attachment, where the caregiver is both a source of safety and fear?
Research shows that secure attachment supports resilience and emotional stability, particularly when children have lived through conflict or adversity.
Assessment Methods
Methods are tailored to the child’s age, developmental level, and communication style. They may include:
Play-based sessions and story-stem techniques with younger children
Structured interviews and questionnaires with older children and adolescents
Observation of parent–child or family contact sessions
Developmental screening tools for language, learning, and social functioning
Review of school reports, health records, and social care information
The aim is to ground conclusions in direct work with the child, not solely in adult accounts.
Development, Trauma, and Neurodiversity
A child’s development is shaped by multiple factors, including:
Exposure to domestic violence or coercive control
Neglect, abuse, or repeated changes in caregivers
Neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD or autism
School experiences and peer relationships
The assessment links present behaviour to these underlying influences. Where neurodevelopmental conditions are relevant, there is a clear cross-reference to the ADHD & Autism in Family Court page
Informing Care Planning and Contact
Recommendations are always linked to the practical questions before the court, such as:
Where the child should live
How contact with each parent should be structured and supported
What type of therapeutic or school-based support may be needed
The report is designed to work alongside Parental Capacity Assessments, social care reports, and the guardian’s analysis to support child-focused decisions.
Instruction and Contact
Dr Aisha Ali accepts instructions from solicitors, local authorities, guardians, and courts across the UK. Assessments can be arranged within agreed timescales, with urgent cases accommodated where possible.
Referrals are handled securely and confidentially in line with data protection and court protocol.
Contact:
For instructions or enquiries, please use the secure contact form or email provided on this site.
CONTACT
Phone: 0044 7508 161794
Email: draisha.f.ali@gmail.com
Address: Dr Aisha Ali
F04 1st Floor Knightrider House,
Knightrider Street, Maidstone, United Kingdom,
ME15 6LU