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What to Expect
If the Court orders a Section 32A or 32B report, it’s natural to feel a bit anxious or unsure about what will happen. Understanding the process can help you feel more comfortable and prepared.
Meeting the assessor: The assessor will arrange to meet with each parent and each child. These meetings are usually informal and designed to help everyone share their thoughts and experiences openly.
Talking with your children: The assessor will speak to the children in an age-appropriate way, helping them express how they feel about the current situation and what they need to feel safe and supported.
Confidentiality and respect: The process is confidential, and assessors are trained to approach families with empathy, fairness, and professionalism. Their goal is not to take sides, but to understand what is best for the children.
Receiving the report: Once the assessment is complete, the report will be shared with the Court and the parties involved.
Every family is different, and these reports aim to help the Court see the full picture so decisions can be made that best support your children’s happiness, safety, and future.
Understanding Section 32A and Section 32B Reports
When parents separate or a relationship breaks down, it can be a challenging and emotional time for everyone involved, especially the children. During this time, the Court’s main focus is to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child or children. This often includes deciding where the children should live, how much time they spend with each parent, and how their emotional and practical needs can best be supported.
To help with these important decisions, the Court may order a Section 32A or Section 32B report under the Family Proceedings Act 1980. Both reports are prepared by an independent, court-appointed assessor who is usually a social worker, psychologist, or another qualified professional experienced in working with families and children.
Section 32A Report
A Section 32A report gives the Court a clear and independent view of your family’s situation and what arrangements are likely to be in the children’s best interests.
The assessor will meet with each parent and each child, and sometimes with other important people involved in the children’s lives. These meetings may happen more than once to allow the assessor to build a full picture of your family’s relationships, communication, and any challenges or concerns that may exist.
After gathering this information, the assessor writes a report outlining their observations, assessments, and recommendations. These might relate to where the children live, how they spend time with each parent, and any steps that could support their emotional wellbeing.
The report is then provided to the Judge, who will review it carefully before making any decisions. The Judge will consider the assessor’s recommendations alongside other evidence and information presented in Court, but is not required to follow them. The Judge’s decision will always be based on what they believe is in the best interests of the children.
Section 32B Report
A Section 32B report is usually ordered when the Court needs further or updated information after a Section 32A report has already been completed.
This might happen if circumstances have changed since the first report, new issues have arisen, or the Court wants more detail about a specific aspect of the family’s situation. A Section 32B report tends to be more focused and shorter than a Section 32A report, depending on what the Court has asked the assessor to investigate.
Like the Section 32A report, the Section 32B report helps the Judge make well-informed decisions that take into account the children’s safety, stability, and overall wellbeing.
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