As a parent/caregiver, do I attend my child's assessment with them?

Depending on your child’s age, it may be easier for us to talk with them alone, or it may be that your child wishes to have you present.

It can be useful for young people and their families to remember that they may feel better able to freely talk without anyone else there. We will take the lead in the conversation with the child or young person, and help them to feel as comfortable as possible. We can then speak with yourself as their parent or guardian separately, to gather your perspective.

If you do wish to be with your child during the assessment, you are welcome to sit next to them if it's comfortable. We know it can be difficult to sit back and not intervene, especially when you know your child is nervous. However, we ask that when a question is directed to your child, please try to let them answer first.

We know that being online can be a slight barrier to some young people, and they may find it difficult to engage with a person who is not physically in the room. Please be reassured that if your young person needs to move about, do something else whilst talking to us, or come and go throughout the assessment, then we will accommodate this as much as we can within the realms of clinical necessity.