Example of Assessing Parenting Capacity for a Parent with Bipolar Disorder

This case study involves a mother (Ms Collins) who has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but who has not experienced a relapse for several years. Ms Collin’s daughter Ann is diagnosed with ASD. Ms Collins experienced difficulty getting her daughter to school on time, leading to a notification to the child welfare department. Three assessment instruments were used: a Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) to assess Ms Collins’ mental state; a Parenting Capacity Instrument (PCI) to assess parental risk factors; and a MAPS instrument to assess parenting practices. Findings made were: Ms Collins showed some elevated PAI scores without any scores being in the clinical range; Ms Collins was found to have five substantiated risk factors indicating she is on a borderline of vulnerable/at-risk parenting; and Ms Collins demonstrated competent parenting skills on many but not all parenting tasks using the MAPS format. A recommendation was made for reunification provided Ms Collins made an undertaking to participate in two focused programs, with a further review before a final decision is made about reunification.