Capacity to Protect Assessments

Using a recognised structured professional judgement tool a Capacity to Protect Assessment (CPA) evaluates a parent or carer’s ability to safeguard children in their care from sexual abuse. CPA’s can inform statutory agency decisions and recommend intervention strategies as part of safeguarding processes.

The framework covers assessment of seventeen factors over four domains:

Internal Capacity

Focuses on a parent/carer’s psychological resilience and self-awareness. Assesses emotional stability, impulse control, and problem-solving abilities. Considers any personal challenges, such as mental health issues, which may affect protective capacity.

Insight of Harm

Evaluates the parent/carer’s understanding of potential risks and the impact of abuse on the child. Reviews their recognition of abusive situations and their willingness to addressing harm. Assesses their ability to make informed, protective decisions for their child.

Parenting Capacity

Examines parenting skills, including the ability to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs. Considers the carer’s ability to provide a stable, safe, and nurturing environment. Looks at factors such as consistency in parenting and prioritisation of the child’s needs.

Coping Capacity

Evaluates how well the parent/ carer manages stress and challenges in their environment. Assesses support networks, self-care habits, and strategies for handling crisis situations. Reviews the presence of any protective factors, such as community support or positive relationships.

Through this structured approach, Circles South East can clearly identify strengths, and concerns and make further recommendations where needed.

Delivery

Referrals

Completion of a Capacity To Protect Assessment takes 10 weeks. We undertake sessions online (offering the service nationally), or in person where feasible.

Once the work is completed, we produce a Capacity To Protect Assessment report with recommendations for further work where appropriate. These reports can be used in Child Protection proceedings, Child in Need proceedings and Family Court hearings contributing to safeguarding decisions.

Facilitators can also attend Child Protection Conferences, Core Groups and Family Court hearings.

We accept referrals from statutory agencies and Local Authorities, Family Courts and legal representatives.

We do accept self-referrals which must be privately funded.

Circles South East also completes Sexual Harm Risk Assessments and AIM3 Assessments (harmful sexual behaviour in young people aged 12-18).

Our assessments, programmes and interventions can be purchased individually, or we can include them in a contract of support. For more information on any of the interventions listed above contact us on 01235 816050 or email hub@circlessoutheast.org.uk

Additional services:

Bespoke Interventions

Bespoke interventions where there is an element of sexual harm that needs to be addressed, supporting families, individuals or those that may have caused harm.

Interventions for young people

12-month support for young people who have committed sexual harm or who pose a risk of doing so.

Survivor Support (Counselling)

30 sessions of free counselling for anyone (over 18) affected by sexual harm

Repairing families after sexual harm - Restore the Balance

A programme delivered to families/support networks where a conviction or concern about sexual harm has been identified. Participants include individuals of concern, a co-parenting adult, sibling, other family member or individual in the support network.

Protecting Children

An intervention for parents / carers of children where there are concerns about exposure to sexual harm. Providing education, information and empowerment to participants.