These reports, called ''needs of the child assessments'', were formerly known as "or ''section 211 reports'' used to be called ''section fifteen 15 reports" '' or "custody and access reports" under the old ''Family Relations Act''. They The reports can be very helpful in resolving a dispute about the care of children and the court <span class="noglossary">will</span> usually give a great deal of weight to the assessor's opinionand recommendations.

Needs of the child assessments are routinely prepared by family justice counsellors, social workers, registered clinical counsellors, and psychologists and psychiatrists.

Family justice counsellors are employees of the Ministry of Justice based in registries of the Provincial Court. Their reports are free, but because there is such a high demand for these reports and there are so few family justice counsellors who are trained to prepare them, the delay from requesting a report to getting it done might be anywhere from eight up to 14 monthsa year.

In general, private reports prepared by social works and mental health professionals qualified psychologists can be done faster, but they come at a cost. The fees for reports prepared by psychologists typically cost range between $68,000 and $1016,000, depending on the number of children involved, and the amount of work that needs to be done.

The parties can agree that a needs of the child assessment <span class="noglossary">will</span> be prepared, and agree who should do the assessment, but if they can't agree, an application can be made to court for an order that an assessment be prepared. If you have to apply to court for such an order, make sure that you do your homework beforehand. You want to be able to tell the judge who you think should prepare the report, the anticipated costs, and their availability and timing. The order <span class="noglossary">will</span> usually specify exactly who is being retained to prepare the report and can also specify how the report <span class="noglossary">will</span> be paid for.

Once the assessment is ordered or agreed upon, either party can should get in touch with the person who <span class="noglossary">will</span> be performing the assessment. The assessor <span class="noglossary">will</span> tell you what happens next, when the interviewing process <span class="noglossary">will</span> begin, and when the completed assessment <span class="noglossary">will</span> likely be ready.

{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Thomas WallworkInga Phillips]], May 9July 12, 2017}}