A family report is a written report prepared by a social worker or psychologist, for the purpose of making observations and recommendations about the future care and living arrangements that are in the best interests of children in parenting disputes.
A family report writer can either be appointed by the Court or jointly elected by the parties in the parenting dispute.
After a family report writer has been appointed or elected, they will conduct interviews with each parent and will observe each parent interact with the child/children. If age appropriate, the family report writer may also interview the child/children separately, but only if they are comfortable in doing so.  Other significant family members, such as step-parents, grandparents or other people who do or will live with the child, may also be asked to the interview.
It is the family report writer’s job to gather information about your background, your involvement in the children’s arrangements pre and post-separation, the issues in dispute, your relationship with the children and the arrangements you believe are in the best interests of the children moving forward.
If your matter is in Court, the family report writer will also read the Affidavit (and other) material you and your ex-partner have filed. Importantly, what you say to the family report writer is NOT confidential and may appear in the family report, if the writer considers it relevant to include. It is not uncommon for one or both of the parties to disagree with the observations or recommendations made by the family report writer.
While the family report is usually the only independent and professional piece of evidence the Court is able to rely upon, the Court is not bound by the recommendations of the family report.
Although the family report writer has had the benefit of meeting with and observing the parties and the children, his/her report is an opinion only and it is ultimately up to the Court to decide how much weight is to be given to the report.
In the event that you disagree with the recommendations or observations of the family report writer and your matter proceeds to a trial, the family report writer is able to be cross-examined on the report he/she has given. The importance of a family report and your preparation for same should not be taken lightly.