Assessing parenting capacity in child protection cases (0-5 years old): An attachment-based assessment and intervention protocol
In collaboration with the Child Protection Services of Montreal, we are currently testing a new protocol for the assessment of parental capacity in child protection cases. The uniqueness of this project is that we included as part of the assessment protocol a short-term video-feedback and attachment-based intervention to assess parental capacity to change. This intervention aims at reinforcing maternal sensitive and reparation behavior to promote parental capacity to care and protect. This article presents the protocol we developed in collaboration with the Child Protection Services of Montreal. First, we describe what is involved in a parental capacity assessment in child protection cases. Attachment theory and related key concepts are then described as the theoretical frame of reference. Following this description, the attachment-based intervention strategy, which was used to activate parental capacity, is then presented. Finally, preliminary results are reported with regard to the efficacy of the intervention and its’ relevancy for the assessment of parental capacity, in particular parent capacity to change.