Tell it to the Judge/Report Layout

DELAWARE CASA

 

TIPS ON WRITING YOUR REPORT TO THE COURT

or, Tell it to the Judge

 

Body of Report

 

  1. Introduction (first paragraph).  Include the basic information about the case in the first report:

·        Status of the case (date opened),

·        Who is charged and what the charge is,

·        Name and age of child, placement, day care arrangements or school grade, if school age.

In subsequent reports, you need only update information.

  1. Describe counseling services currently being provided or if evaluations have been scheduled or taken place, and results if known.
  2. Indicate if medications have been prescribed and are effective.
  3. Describe school situation (grades, need for tutoring, IEP, influence of friends, sports or other activities, etc.).
  4. Describe other developments, such as delinquency, drug court or probation and their affect on the case.
  5. Describe status of parents:  are they following through with evaluations, drug court, etc.?
  6. Describe visits, if appropriate.  Are they going well or are they stressful?  Are the parents in compliance with the case plan?
  7. Describe what the child wants, based on your contact with the child.
  8. Are court orders (if established) being followed? 

 

 

Recommendations

 

Use your recommendations to answer questions such as:

  1. Should the child stay in the current placement?  (If not, suggest alternatives)
  2. Should there be a change in custody?
  3. Should visits be expanded or less frequent? Supervised or unsupervised?  Overnight? 
  4. Should the services currently in place be continued?  Should more be added?
  5. Should the parents be required to do anything more or different?
  6. Should the case be continued?  For how long?

 

 

    • Be concise.
    • Separate fact from opinion as much as possible.
    • Make recommendations based on these facts, rather than assumptions.
    • Assess the situation without pointing fingers. 
    • Try to keep your report to one page.