Voice of the Child Reports

The Answers to All Your Questions At One Place

The Voice of the Child Reports is helpful in situations when parents decide to split. While developing a parenting plan for the parties’ separation, the child’s wishes are an essential and practical factor to consider. A Judge may order a Voice of the Child Report, or a family may request a Voice of the Child for mediation purposes.

A clinician who interviews the child may prepare a voice of the child report. This report does not include the professional’s opinion. This suffices the report’s purpose: to merely inform the judge about the child’s views.

Let’s look into the voice of the child report to get an in-depth understanding.

Digging Deep into the Voice of the Child Report

The report contains details regarding the child’s opinions and preferences concerning parenting issues. The person preparing the report will discuss expectations with the parents’ lawyers and interact with them to schedule interviews. The person producing the report will usually meet the child at least twice to counteract any parental influence. Additionally, once when the kid is with each parent.

According to the findings so far, the child’s preferences will almost always include information on:

  • Does the child desire a specific access schedule for extracurricular activities they wish to participate in?
  • Whether or not they are comfortable traveling with one parent.
  • Where do they want to attend school?

The report is prepared with the permission of both parents. In general, judges would consider the following factors:

  • Are the child’s wishes clearly described?
  • How well-informed are their suggestions?
  • What is the age of the child?
  • How long has the kid harbored those desires?
  • How valid is the request?
  • Whether or not the parents will be able to give proper care?
  • How would the parent’s wishes impact the child’s desires?

Why is it Essential to Have a VOC Report?

Voice of the Child Reports are considered beneficial in numerous ways.

  • Voice of the Child reports are less expensive and faster than parenting plan assessments.
  • Since they are not clinical, they are also less intrusive.
  • According to the judges, these reports make their jobs simpler by reducing the length of the trial or contributing to an early settlement.
  • Most importantly, it allows the children to have a voice in what is and is not essential to them.
  • Rather than a parent, a neutral third party may help children feel more at ease when discussing their ideal living arrangements.
  • Children included in the decision-making process, may be able to cope better with the changes around them.

When Should A Voice of the Child Report be Used?

Regardless of how vital VOC reports are, they may not be appropriate in all instances.

The VOC reports give parents a greater understanding of their children’s perspectives, which can help them address problems. Below-mentioned points are some situations where the report would be highly appropriate.

  • When the conflicts between the parents are not on the triggering edge for the child.
  • The children are teenagers, and they need someone comfortable to talk to.
  • There are no significant clinical or parenting challenges involved.
  • When parents differ about the child’s preferences and viewpoint.
  • Severe cases like child abuse, alcohol or drug abuse, neglectful parenting, or mental health concerns.

Not to trivialize any child’s issue, but there are cases when a VOC report might not be the best decision to take.

For instance, under circumstances like domestic abuse estrangement, a child does not want to see one parent. Sometimes the child does not want to share their opinion. Thus, the VOC report may be of little or no use in such situations.

Who Prepares the VOC Report?

 There are a couple of different want to get a Voice of the Child Report. The interview and report may be conducted by a clinician through the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Alternately, a family may hire a clinician trained in Voice of the child, to use for the mediation process.

Advantages of Involving Children Through a VOC Report

According to some researchers, children’s inclusion benefits them and helps parents focus on their children’s best interests. Thus it gives parents a better sense of their children’s overall wishes and feelings. Hence, the inclusion leads to better agreements for the children and increases the likelihood that parents will stick to their agreements.

Brown (a researcher who contributed to VOC), noted children should be included as they have the right to know the situation between their parents.

Some of the best-known advantages of including children in the separation process are described as follows:

  • Children can tell the clinician about their true feelings, which they often can’t or won’t say to their parents.
  • While their parents fight, the clinician acts like a nonaligned confidant for the children. This can help reduce their concerns and anxiety and, at the very least, make them feel that someone cares.
  • By talking about their problems and interests, children can deal with their emotions in a better way.
  • The kids might be able to cope with changes more easily if they are aware of and comprehend their reasons.
  • Parents are able to hear what their children would like.

Some studies believe that children should only be participating in a limited number of sessions. Adolescents who wish to express their opinions should be able to do so.

Sometimes, in these situations children won’t have their voice heard:

  • Parents are misusing the information given by the children.
  • Parents may manipulate youngsters to take their side in a session.
  • One or both parents have no interest in learning about the child’s needs.
  • When the parents do not want or disagree with including the child.
  • The kids are too young (the age restriction varies).

What is the Process Associated With the Report?

  1. Parental and child consent is obtained.
  2. Two interviews are held. Each party is responsible for bringing the child to one appointment.
  3. The children’s perspectives are recorded and read back to them to make sure they are correct.
  4. A final report is written and presented to both parents or given to the courts.

How Can Professionals Take Off the Load?

If you or your acquaintance having a child is going through marital issues and is considering separation as an option, we are here for you. We understand how difficult a situation you might be in. But, don’t worry, you do not have to go through it alone. Eugenio Counseling is here to help you through all the phases. Don’t think twice before contacting us, whether you need help with filing for Voice of the Child Reports to help your kid not suffer or enroll in therapy sessions to talk everything out. Till then, we wish you happy healing!

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