==Needs of the child assessments==
Under Where decisions about children are concerned, the question for parents and courts is "What is in the best interests of the child?'' Obviously, separated parents may disagree about what'sbest when it comes to guardianship, parenting arrangements, or who has contact with a child. Section 37(12) of the ''[[Family Law Actact]]'', when the court or the parties are making orders and agreements contains more specifics about guardianship, parenting arrangements, or contact with a child, the parties and the court must consider the best interests of the child only. Under sfactors this consideration involves. 211, the court can appoint a person to <span class="noglossary">assess</span> one or more of:
*the needs of In some cases, a child in relation neutral third party is used to provide a family law disputereport. Under s. 211,*the views of court can appoint a child in relation person to a family law dispute, <span class="noglossary">assess</span> one or*the ability and willingness more of a party to a family law dispute to satisfy the needs of a child.:
These reports# the needs of a child in relation to a family law dispute,# the views of a child in relation to a family law dispute, or# the ability and willingness of a party to a family law dispute to satisfy the needs of a child. Reports of the first kind are called ''needs of the child assessments'', or . You might also hear them called ''section 211 reports'' used to be . Under the old ''Family Relations Act'' these reports were called ''section 15 reports'' or ''custody and access reports'' under the old ''Family Relations Act''. The These reports can be very helpful in resolving a dispute about the care of children and the . A court <span class="noglossary">will</span> usually give a great deal of weight to the assessor's opinion and recommendations.
==Picking the assessor==
==Arranging for the assessment==
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 costsinvolved, and their the availability and timingof the report writer. The order <span class="noglossary">will</span> usually specify who is being retained to prepare the report and . The order can also specify how the report <span class="noglossary">will</span> be paid for.
Once the an assessment is ordered or agreed uponto, either party you 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.
You can find more information about needs of the child assessments in the chapter [[Children in Family Law Matters]].