Child psychiatry and child protection litigation / Julia Brophy with Louise Brown, Suzanne Cohen and Polly Radcliffe.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-127) and index.

Introduction p. xvii Background The sample The structure of the book The Children Act 1989: a new landscape for the work of expert witnesses p. 1 The Act--a milestone in family proceedings The principles that guide the courts A new court structure for family proceedings Local authority support for children and families Proceedings for care and supervision applications A new landscape for experts The use of experts following the Children Act 1989 NHS structures and contracts: the context in which child psychiatrists meet the needs set by care proceedings p. 16 Introduction From welfare state to welfare markets? Medico-legal work during the NHS reforms at the beginning of the 1990s Custom and practice or contractual obligation? The work of the child psychiatrist in child protection litigation Waiting lists for medico-legal work Working practices: working alone or in a multi-disciplinary team Ethical dilemmas: doctor to the family and an adviser to the court? Numbers of cases, numbers of appointments and length of experience in clinical and legal arenas Conclusions The bearers of gifts? What do child psychiatrists consider they bring to child care proceedings? p. 32 Introduction Presenting problems What do parties generally want from child psychiatrists? Ethical dilemmas: making recommendations as to children\'s future therapeutic needs The risk assessment--a multi-professional exercise Social work assessments \'Added value\': what do child psychiatrists consider they bring to the task of assessing families that is different from that of a social worker? Underpinning theoretical perspectives and techniques Assessing children and parents from Black and other ethnic minority households \'Gilding the lily\': using psychiatrists to add status and power More \'added values\' from child psychiatrists Conclusions The new legal agenda: those \'on the receiving end\' Introduction: \'On the receiving end\': letters of instruction after the Act Joint letters of instruction--time for clinicians to debate? Writing reports for courts The content of reports and the language of recommendations Using research in court reports--\'evidence-based practice\' and strategic planning \'On the receiving end\': improvements to the work of experts following the 1989 Children Act A new clinical agenda: challenges for child protection litigation p. 72 Introduction The \'forensic\' exercise and children\'s future therapeutic needs: a need for debate Competing expert opinions The \'texture\' of expert evidence The failures of the 1989 Children Act Conclusions Child psychiatrists and the family justice system: a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency agenda p. 95 Introduction Service provision for the twenty-first century The tasks of the child psychiatrist: legal and welfare discourses.

Julia Brophy examines the Children Act 1989 and explains what the courts require of professionals when appearing as expert witnesses. The book is based upon a study of the experiences of those working with the Children Act over the past decade.