Contemporary Family Justice : Policy and Practice in Complex Child Protection Decisions

A compelling critique of the family justice system, this book encourages reflection on the ways in which the needs of children and families are potentially compromised. By showing how the policy looks in practice, it describes how we can ensure the best outcome for children and families under the pressure of timescales and targets.

Making judgments about a child''s welfare without having the opportunity to gather all of the relevant information, and with both the judiciary and practitioners operating a remote control approach with the most complex of families can be very difficult. Contemporary Family Justice draws on recent legislation, case law and research findings to provide clear accessible information and advice on how to make the difficult decisions in pre-proceedings child protection/child welfare work.With reference to child protection legislation and practice frameworks, this book shows how you can negotiate the obstacles and carry out informed and effective assessments with the best outcome for the child. The book acknowledges the constraints, such as not having the time to build trust and communication and having to act under considerable pressure, and focuses on the key issues which commonly present as challenges for practice. It details the particular issues you might face when working with neglect, child sexual exploration and pre-birth assessments. It helps you to understand and apply the law relating to a range of complex issues and shows how cases may be treated differently for example when dealing with repeat removals.Demonstrating how the law and statutory guidance applies in practice, this is essential reading for students and newly qualified practitioners in both social work and law, as well as those looking to build on their existing practice.