Access Assessment
Overview
HAPii delivers specialist, independent, attachment-trauma-informed access assessments focused on safe, positive, and healing-oriented family contact for children involved in foster care, separation, court proceedings, or welfare concerns.
What the Assessment Includes
Structured Access Observations
Real-time, child-friendly observations of parent-child (or wider family) interactions across multiple sessions.
Conducted in a neutral, supportive setting designed to reduce anxiety and promote natural interaction.
Focus on bonding, emotional attunement, co-regulation, communication patterns, boundaries, safety, and play dynamics.
Informed by attachment theory (including Secure Base dimensions) and play-based assessment frameworks developed through Dr. O’Reilly’s doctoral research.
For young infants and non-verbal children, emphasis is placed on detailed observational data including attachment behaviours, soothing capacity, developmental cues, and responsiveness rather than verbal expression.
Interviews with Key Stakeholders
In-depth, structured, separate interviews with:
Access support professional (if involved)
Birth parent(s)
The child (age-appropriate; using play, creative, or indirect methods where needed)
Foster carer(s) or current caregivers
Review of relevant documentation:
including court directions
care plans
previous professional reports (where provided)
This integrated approach ensures findings are balanced, contextualised, and grounded in the child’s lived experience.
Integrated Psychoeducational Support
HAPii assessments embed practical, evidence-based guidance throughout the process rather than operating as observation-only models.
Support may include:
For the child:
Trauma-sensitive play strategies
Emotional regulation tool
Attachment-informed processing.
For birth family:
Parenting strategies rooted in attachment science
Co-regulation and emotional attunement guidance
Understanding the impact of separation and trauma on behaviour.
For foster family/current caregivers:
Supporting transitions before and after contact
Managing emotional responses linked to access
Strengthening attachment security within the placement
Guidance draws on the CAR Guide, Theraplay-informed principles, and attachment-focused tools, with the aim of building capacity for positive, healing contact.
Final Report and Recommendations
A comprehensive, court-ready report includes:
Objective findings from observations, interviews, and documentation review
Analysis of strengths, risks, and relational dynamics
Consideration of the child’s expressed or observed views
Evidence-based recommendations for ongoing access arrangements that promote safety, attachment security, and emotional wellbeing
Recommendations may address
Frequency and structure of contact
Supervision requirements
Phased or graduated contact plans
Therapeutic supports where indicated
Safeguarding considerations
Reports are written in clear, professional language suitable for social workers, solicitors, courts, or Tusla.
Pricing
Full Independent Access Assessment (three observations, all interviews, psychoeducational support, documentation review, detailed report)
Approximately €2,400 plus travel.
Fixed fee (subject only to rare exceptional additions, such as extensive additional documentation review or case complexity)
Payment terms:
50% deposit on referral acceptance
Balance due on report delivery
Invoices and receipts provided.
Referral Process
Complete and return the HAPii Referral Form.
HAPii acknowledges receipt within 2 working days and confirms suitability and availability.
Contract issued outlining process, timelines, and fees.
Required documentation:
Case background summary
Signed consents (or court direction)
Existing reports and relevant documentation.
Turnaround:
Typically 8–12 weeks from referral acceptance to final report (depending on complexity and scheduling).