Evaluation Guide of Parental capacities: An Ecological Validity Study

ABSTRACT This aim of this study was to promote and improve the adaptation of the Parental Capacities Evaluation Guide (De Rancourt, Paquette, Paquette, & Rainville, 2006) to the Portuguese child protection system. A focus group methodology was used with professionals who work directly on parenting assessment: Social workers, judges and researchers. The discussions of the focus group concentrated on the Guide ‘feasibility, the usefulness of the information obtained, the clinical judgements made and on the major changes needed. From content analysis with the QSRNVivo8 software, it was concluded that the Guide is based on updated scientific knowledge and that it provides sufficient information for the assessment of parenting capacities. Three major kinds of changes to be made were identified: methodological, structural and content changes.