In November 2008, psychologist Nicole Walton-Allen recommended that a child be permanently taken from their parents and placed for adoption. Three months later, a Hamilton judge made it happen. Later in 2009, she called for another Hamilton child from a different couple to be placed for adoption, finding “it would be in his best interest.” Another judge granted the order. These are some of more than 100 expert opinions — known as parenting capacity assessments — Walton-Allen testified she has given since 1992. Such reports evaluate whether parents can meet the needs of their children and whether supports are available; they can be heavily relied on by the courts.Last December, a judge said Walton-Allen had “intentionally misrepresented” her credentials since at least 2009, passing herself off as a clinical psychologist when in reality she is only authorized to practise in school psychology by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The judge also found that as a school psychologist, she was unqualified to perform the work. The question of how many of her expert opinions led to children being permanently taken away from their parents is now at the heart of calls that the provincial government launch an independent review of all cases in which Walton-Allen submitted a parenting capacity assessment. The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies has said it no longer supports the use of Walton-Allen’s services for such assessments.“OACAS is currently analyzing this issue and consulting with our membership on the best approach from the perspective of supporting good outcomes for the children, youth and families of Ontario,” Nicole Bonnie, the association’s CEO, told the Star in a statement Wednesday.Child protection lawyers have said the December findings against Walton-Allen throw into doubt any parenting capacity assessment she has ever completed. They’re calling on Children, Community a ...
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