Surviving an abusive system, Peter Beresford and Anne Wilson; abuse of power in the mental health system, Jacqui Lynskey; therapists and confidentiality - abuse within the medical system, Mary Neville; theatres of justice, Lee Heal; system abuse - social violence and families, Sue Amphlett; the betrayed truth, Maggie Lane; representing vulnerable parents - does the legal system increase their disempowerment? Sue Williscroft; the experience of an expert witness in court, Maria Pozzi; power and social responsibility in family law courts, Judith Trowell and Lois Colling; rights of children in statutory agency decision making, Brian Littlechild; challenging the power of professionals - including the community in tackling poverty, Roger Green and Alan Turner; information technology as a vehicle for change in family law, Mark Solon.
Presenting the stories of individuals form all levels of the social and legal systems, including service users, judges, therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, social policy academics and parents, this text, concerned with ethical practice, represents and unites academic, professional and personal perspectives. Topics covered include: accountability and confidentiality; system abuse in psychiatric medicine, child protection and child care work; community poverty action; children's rights; use of information technology in family law disputes. The book contains background material, a review of current research, case studies and useful addresses, and lays guidelines for future policy. It should be of relevance for social care academics, policy makers and professionals seeking to refine their practice to understand the invisible and prejudicial structures and processes which govern their work.