Child Interviews and Observations
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 my 10 years in child protection, I focused on addressing safety risks and promoting the child-parent relationship, with the ultimate goal of reunification. Now, in family law, if I consider facilitating a child/parent observation session with a parent who attracted allegations of family violence or illicit substance use, I am viewed as a family violence enabler or a child trafficker to appease perpetrators.
Thank you for reading...vent over.
Happy travels.
Hi Guys,
In my matter above (cue heavenly music), an ICL was appointed! I will be interviewing the child today after the first parent (and their lawyer) refused to make the child available. The other parent has elected not to be observed with the child to encourage the swift release of the report.
Thank you all for your support.