Legal Definitions - custody evaluation

A custody evaluation, also known as a home-study report or social study, is an investigation into a child's home, family environment, and background. It is usually conducted by a social worker when a child has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. It can also be conducted when evaluating potential adoptive parents.

• When a child is removed from their home due to abuse, a social worker will conduct a custody evaluation to determine if the child can safely return home.
• Before a child is placed with adoptive parents, a custody evaluation will be conducted to ensure that the child will be placed in a safe and stable environment.

These examples illustrate how a custody evaluation is used to assess the safety and stability of a child's home environment. It is an important tool in ensuring that children are placed in homes where they can thrive and be protected from harm.