Practice Note 8 Assessment In cases where the family is experiencing an impasse in agreement of a custody and an Intervention under Practice Note 7 is inappropriate or was unsuccessful in resolution of the parenting issues, a PN8 Assessment may be applied. A Practice Note 8 Child Custody/Parenting Evaluation is a comprehensive and objective assessment of a family. The process may vary depending on different cases or situations, but generally involve some of the following: • home visits/observations; • interviews with each parent separately; • interviews with each parent with the child(ren); • depending on the child(ren)’s ages, may include interviews with the child(ren) separately; • document review including, when Court ordered, Alberta Child and Family Services files and police files; • administering psychological testing to the parties; • and interviews with collateral witnesses such as counsellors, Alberta Child and Family Services and police personnel, teachers, as well as personal sources such as new spouses and partners, grandparents or close friends. The purpose of a Practice Note 8 Evaluation Order is to have the Parenting Expert report back to the Court and assist the Court in making a final determination through trial or summary trial as to the parenting and decision making arrangements that are in the best interests of the child(ren). Psychologists with sufficient training and experience to be accepted by the Court as Parenting Experts conduct Evaluations. The Parenting Experts are qualified to give opinion evidence on parenting arrangements, parenting responsibilities and decision-making. Duration of an assessment may vary from case to case. For more information, please contact us at arch@archpsychological.com.