Brings together experts who consider difficult questions that can arise during family proceedings, and respond with practical approaches for dealing with these demanding and complex issues. This book includes chapter topics that place emphasis on considering the child's perspective whilst assessing parents who show a range of problems.

Section 1: Principles and Practice. What Principles Guide Parenting Assessments? Reder, Duncan and Lucey, How are Assessments Conducted for Family Proceedings? Reder, Duncan and Lucey, Would Cultural Matching Ensure Culturally Competent Assessments? Maitra, Section 2 : The Child's Perspective. What is the Relevance of Attachment to Parenting Assessments? Baker. What are the Significant Dimensions of Harm to a Child? Duncan and Baker. Are children reliable witnesses to their experiences? Westcott and Jones. How much should children's views count? Reder, Duncan. Section 3 : Can Adolescents parent? Reder, Fitzpatrick, Can Parents with Personality disorders adequately care for children? Cordess, Can violent parents be fit parents? Sturge, How do Mental Health Problems Affect Parenting? Duncan, Reder, Would Exploration of Unresolved Conflicts Inform Parenting Assessments? Reder, Duncan, Does the Past Predict the Future? Reder Section 4: Is it Possible to Work with Parental Denial? Bentovim, What Contact Arrangements are in a Child's Best Interests? Lucey, Sturge, Fellow-Smith, Reder, Long-term Foster-care or Adoption? Triseliotis, How Does a Judge Weigh up a Case? Lord Justice Thorpe