SAPE for Social Workers

SAPE (Structured Analysis of Parental Enmeshment) is a forensic-aligned, non-diagnostic tool designed to support professionals in identifying covert emotional pressure, boundary erosion, and loyalty conflicts affecting children in high-conflict custody cases.

It complements existing child welfare protocols by:

• Structuring documentation of subtle psychosocial harm in the absence of overt abuse.
• Aligning with UNCRC Articles 3, 12, and 19 and the Swedish Social Services Act.
• Supporting child-centric assessments with analytical clarity.

Professional Use

SAPE is currently applied by legal professionals, psychologists, and now in pilot use by municipal child protection teams. It is designed for:

• Case analysis (e.g., custody assessments, social investigations)
• Pattern documentation (e.g., repeated emotional manipulation)
• Early intervention in ambiguous or “invisible” harm scenarios

Evidence-Based Foundation

SAPE draws from Nordic research on role confusion, coercive control, and child exposure to parental conflict. All analyses are traceable and cite peer-reviewed literature.

Ethical and Legal Framework

SAPE is not a diagnostic method and does not assign blame. It is a structured lens to assist multidisciplinary teams in making informed, accountable decisions in the child’s best interest.