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Family Functioning Assessment (FFA)

A Family Functioning Assessment (FFA) is a structured, descriptive assessment that examines how a family system operates during a defined assessment period.

This assessment focuses on patterns of interaction, including communication, roles, boundaries, coordination, and responses to stress within the family system. It provides contextual information to assist understanding and planning, without determining outcomes.

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What This Assessment Involves

A Family Functioning Assessment may include:

  • individual interviews with parents or caregivers

  • joint or family interviews where appropriate

  • structured observation activities

  • brief, developmentally appropriate child observation (where appropriate)

  • review of referral documentation

Information is gathered and analysed in accordance with defined scope and ethical boundaries. Findings are limited to the assessment period only.

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What This Assessment Is Not

A Family Functioning Assessment:

  • is not a Parenting Capacity Assessment

  • is not a risk or safety assessment

  • does not predict future outcomes

  • does not determine placement, contact, or legal decisions

  • does not assess suitability of individual carers

This assessment does not make recommendations unless a separate Recommendations Addendum is explicitly ordered.

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When a Family Functioning Assessment Is Appropriate

A Family Functioning Assessment may be appropriate when:

  • understanding family dynamics may assist planning or decision-making

  • neutrality and proportionality are required

  • family interaction patterns are relevant to a matter

  • a full capacity assessment is not indicated

This assessment is often used alongside court, statutory, or service planning processes, but does not replace them.

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Kinship and Extended Family Systems

Family Functioning Assessments may involve large kinship or extended family systems, including multiple caregivers or households.

In these contexts, the assessment focuses on functional caregiving roles and system-level patterns, rather than legal status or individual performance. Assessment boundaries are clearly defined to ensure proportionality and clarity.

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Reporting

The assessment outcome is a written report that:

  • describes observed and reported patterns of family functioning

  • identifies strengths and pressures within the family system

  • is descriptive and non-predictive

  • is limited to the assessment period

  • is prepared in line with professional and ethical standards

The report is intended to inform, not determine, decision-making.

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Fees

Indicative fee range: $2,150 – $6,850

Fees considerations include:

  • assessment scope

  • number of participants

  • interviews and observation requirements

  • complexity of the family system

  • reporting requirements

Final fees are confirmed following intake to ensure appropriate scope alignment before the assessment proceeds.

​Important: This is a descriptive assessment only. It does not assess parenting capacity, risk, or predict outcomes.

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Engaging This Service

Before commencing a Family Functioning Assessment:

  • an intake discussion is required

  • the referral purpose is clarified

  • assessment scope is confirmed

  • fees and timeframes are agreed in writing

Services do not commence without clear alignment between referral purpose and assessment scope.

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Important Notice

Strongly Kinnected provides Family Functioning Assessments as independent, descriptive assessments.
This service does not advocate for parties, provide legal advice, or determine outcomes.

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Request an Intake Discussion

To discuss whether a Family Functioning Assessment is appropriate for your circumstances, please contact us to request an intake discussion.

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