Hi
Just wondering how many of you do interviews with the parents via teams? I’ve have two referrals for families out of my area. I will go up to do the observations and child interviews and book rooms for that - but what is everyone doing with parents? Any research or relevant guidelines?
Thanks
Ok my turn to vent ! I think I might've talked to some of you about this or raised it before but I guess I'm just seeking a little bit of guidance on how to manage this. I had a family report cross examination request for when I was on holidays, so of course I did everything I could and I was available. They wanted me on the Tuesday so we cancelled all of our plans for the Tuesday they told me on Monday night that they didn't need me so that was a waste of day then on the Friday they wanted me again in the afternoon. We waited around all day and then at 3 pm on the Friday they said that they didn't need me. We came back and the third appearance was requested. All I said for this one was that I had a child inclusive…
Hey DC, you know my two cents' worth- it's in the expert evidence part of the Act, that we are paid for our time. That includes time impacted by preparation, rescheduling, etc. Shame we can't charge for the sleepless nights pre and post cross examination though!
Hi everyone,
Just venting here. I seem to have a run of parents refusing to bring their children for interviews and forbidding observations between the children and the other parent (despite the Court Order).
I have just hung up the phone from a lawyer who told me that it was likely that I would assess that no observations would occur given the history of family violence (there are mutual allegations!!) and thus questioning why I would invite the other parent. I emphasised that I would make that call AFTER and not BEFORE interviewing the child under the pressure from a solicitor.
Is this the new trend? In three reports this month, I was told that it was too traumatising for the child to be interviewed. Furthermore, if I supervised an observation session, I would be accused of perpetuating (untested) family violence, which would be traumatising for the child. In m…
Hi April, it's definitely a frustrating situation when it occurs, but you are the expert and I don't think it's appropriate that you are pressured to alter your proposed schedule at the influence of solicitors. If you think an obs should occur, schedule it, and if it's obstructed by a parent, that can give you juicy info about the dynamic (resist refuse etc) and how it has formed/maintained. Sometimes I'll include a disclaimer when I send my proposed schedule stating that the schedule is subject to change based on information provided upon interview (by either parent or child) that gives me pause about the potential impact of an obs on a child. Same goes with whether the parents are in the building at the same time etc.
You're spot on with the difference between child protection and family law. I also have a child protection history, and it can be disorienting moving between jurisdictions because you're absolutely right, fam law seems more preoccupied with avoiding harm (also read promoting safety), whereas CP is more 'how much discomfort and risk is tolerable towards the ultimate goal of reunification and family stability.'
Thanks for your vent! Very validating to read!
Hi I have just participated in a panel discussion about court reports with the Ministry of Justice here in NZ. They are looking to try and cut costs and short reports have been mentioned. I am not really sure how this is working in AU and what the strengths and weaknesses of this approach is and what the brief usually contains….can you let me know your thoughts and if there are any resources or information I could look at in terms of how these are constructed and functioning? Many thanks
Thanks this is so helpful I am going to feed this back to the court. I think they need to consider next steps carefully as if they try to cut costs like this then it will result in a number of psychs not taking the work and drifting onto other areas of practice. So long term it might save costs on other ways but increase them in others.
Any issues in terms of it being contested or shown to be contrary to any guidelines ?