Mental Disorders, Mental Illness and the Family Court: A Reference Guide for Non-Medical Professionals

Mental Disorders, Mental Illness and the Family Court: A Reference Guide for Non-Medical Professionals

Mental Disorders, Mental Illness and the Family Court provides a comprehensive guide that is relevant to both public and private work in the Family Court in England and Wales.

This book describes the mental disorders and illnesses that can affect both children and adults and how these disorders may progress from childhood into adulthood. It also describes how such disorders in adults can impact the lives of children in their care.

The work offers practical advice to the Family Court as to what adjustments to consider for those appearing in court who are suffering with a mental health condition and to those representing the parties. It also describes the legal framework of the Family Court, the crossover between the Children Act and the Mental Health Act in respect of children and young people and the reports and assessments that are produced for the Family Court.

Designed as a reference guide for non-medical professionals, the book discusses over 60 mental health conditions found in children, young people and adults. Each condition is described and includes information as to its prevalence, causes, symptoms and possible outcomes of treatments.

The book considers issues of relevance to the Family Court’s work, including the parenting of children who present risks, the interplay between different disorders, and the impact of mental disorders on family dynamics. It includes 22 anonymised Case Studies that show the impact of different disorders in real-life situations and provides a useful training resource. Each chapter includes links to further specialist information and organisations.

The book is of practical use to those who work within the Family Court jurisdiction, from judges, magistrates and family lawyers to Cafcass officers, social workers and CAHMS teams. It will also be useful for parents, carers and guardians attending the Family Court.

In producing this comprehensive guide, the authors have drawn on their wealth of experience and their extensive professional backgrounds working in psychiatry, paediatric medicine, social work and the Family Court and Mental Health Tribunal.

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