Public Law Psychiatric Report
Independent psychiatric assessments for public law children proceedings in England and Wales. Our consultant psychiatrists provide evaluation of parental mental health in care proceedings, addressing diagnosis, parenting capacity, prognosis, and the potential for change within the child's timescales.
When This Report Is Instructed
- Care proceedings under the Children Act 1989
- Cases where parental mental health is a significant factor in threshold
- Assessment of capacity to change within the child's timescales
- Supervision order applications involving mental health concerns
- Placement order applications requiring psychiatric evidence
- Special guardianship assessments where mental health is relevant
What the Report Covers
- Comprehensive psychiatric assessment of the parent
- Review of local authority evidence, medical records, and court bundle
- Assessment of psychiatric diagnosis and current mental state
- Evaluation of the relationship between mental health and parenting difficulties
- Assessment of insight, engagement with services, and treatment compliance
- Opinion on capacity to meet the child's needs
- Evaluation of capacity to change and timescales for change
- Assessment of risk factors and protective factors
- Prognosis for mental health condition
- Recommendations for treatment, support, or further assessment
The report provides independent expert psychiatric opinion to assist the court or tribunal and does not determine liability, findings of fact, or legal outcomes.
Expert Standards
Duty to the Court
Independent, objective opinion uninfluenced by the instructing party.
CPR Part 35 Compliance
Full compliance with CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction.
Statement of Truth
Expert declaration and Statement of Truth included.
This applies equally to claimant, defendant, and single joint expert instructions.
How to Instruct
Send your instruction
Email instruct@psychiatric.report with your letter of instruction, relevant documents, medical records, and questions to address.
Assessment arranged
Assessment arranged remotely or at a suitable location, as required by the instruction.
Draft report issued
Draft report provided for review. Part 35 questions and addenda addressed as applicable.
Final report delivered
Final report with CPR declarations. Court attendance available if required.
Practicalities
Turnaround
3–5 weeks standard; expedited available subject to availability
Indicative Fee
£1,600–£2,200
Subject to complexity and records volume
Additional work: Part 35 questions, addenda, joint statements, and court attendance are available where required. Fees for additional work are confirmed once scope is clear.
We typically respond within 1 working day.