MALD usage within Herefordshire Council
Case reference FOI2026/01542
Received 2 July 2026
Published 29 July 2026
Request
Freedom of Information Request Subject: Parenting Assessment Models, Neurodivergence Training, and Toolkits Used by Social Work Practitioners
1. MALD® is recognised as a specialist parenting assessment model, training programme, and toolkit developed by experts in neurodivergence, learning needs, and social work practice. Thousands of MALD® assessments have been completed nationally and courts throughout the UK direct MALD® Assessments daily. Please confirm whether your Local Authority’s social work teams have had the opportunity to explore the MALD® model?
2. Following the Family Justice Council’s 2025 Neurodiversity Guidance and the ongoing Family Law and Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) campaign, please advise whether your social work teams are trained, confident, and equipped to work effectively with vulnerable parents, including neurodivergent parents?
3. The MALD® toolkit, developed by Autism and Learning Needs specialists, is designed for use from the first social work visit. Please confirm whether your Local Authority has reviewed this toolkit and whether it is being considered to support more accessible, needs‑led engagement with parents?
Response
Freedom of Information Request Subject: Parenting Assessment Models, Neurodivergence Training, and Toolkits Used by Social Work Practitioners
1. MALD® is recognised as a specialist parenting assessment model, training programme, and toolkit developed by experts in neurodivergence, learning needs, and social work practice. Thousands of MALD® assessments have been completed nationally and courts throughout the UK direct MALD® Assessments daily. Please confirm whether your Local Authority’s social work teams have had the opportunity to explore the MALD® model?
Answer: The local authority uses a different framework for supporting parents with additional support needs.
2. Following the Family Justice Council’s 2025 Neurodiversity Guidance and the ongoing Family Law and Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) campaign, please advise whether your social work teams are trained, confident, and equipped to work effectively with vulnerable parents, including neurodivergent parents?
Answer: This is not a request for recorded information and therefore falls outside of the FOI remit.
3. The MALD® toolkit, developed by Autism and Learning Needs specialists, is designed for use from the first social work visit. Please confirm whether your Local Authority has reviewed this toolkit and whether it is being considered to support more accessible, needs‑led engagement with parents?
Answer: The local authority uses a different framework for supporting parents with additional support needs.
Documents
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