Indicators of child resistance/refusal to spending time with a parent such as alienating behaviours
The practice aids below are derived from a range of sources and some are not Cafcass original documents. Each practice aid has been identified for use by Cafcass staff. Information on the source of each document is referenced in the further information section below.
Resources for assessing child refusal/resistance
When a child is resisting or refusing time with a parent/carer post-separation, there may be a number of causes for this. This guide describes the range of potential causes for the resistance and/or refusal, and supports exploration of the impact on the child of adult behaviours, including alienating behaviours. It also provides guidance on children’s wishes and feelings and making recommendations to court in these circumstances.
Our Family Court Advisers consider the intensity of the parental behaviours alongside the impact of these behaviours on the child.
Practice aids and guidance
Click here for the Children’s resistance and refusal to spending time with a parent guide
| Resource | Guidance on use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Assessing children’s and young people’s wishes and feelings guidance | Private law: This guidance addresses best practice when listening to and analysing children and young people’s wishes and feelings, to help practitioners consider what arrangements are in the child’s best interests. | Cafcass |
| Alienating Behaviours Thinking Practice Aid | Private law: This is an analytical practice aid to be used by practitioners after they have completed interviews with parents and children and obtained a range of other information such as from the school, police and LA. Based on this information, FCAs can click on ‘choose an item’ to indicate the frequency of alienating behaviours. | Cafcass |
| Recommendations for the child when alienation is a factor guidance | Private law: This guidance provides advice for recommendations on cases where the assessment indicates that the child is being harmed by alienating behaviour (or the court have found facts regarding this) and that this behaviour cannot be curbed. | Cafcass |
| Children’s beliefs about parental divorce practice aid | Private law: This guidance provides advice for recommendations on cases where the assessment indicates that the child is being harmed by alienating behaviour (or the court have found facts regarding this) and that this behaviour cannot be curbed. | Kurdek and Berg (1987) |
| Interim Guidance in relation to expert witnesses in cases where there are allegations of alienating behaviours – conflicts of interest | Guidance for court professionals in the appointment of expert witnesses in cases where there are allegations of alienating behaviours, avoiding conflicts of interest where the appointed expert recommends intervention or therapy that they or an associate would benefit financially from delivering. | Family Justice Council |