This new publication deals with the practical aspects of child custody and access assessments in the context of the empirical and social science literature and the authors’ decades of collective practice experiences. Unique to Canada, this book reviews the role that custody assessors play in the judicial decision-making process and sets out best practices, along with the most relevant social science literature and applicable case law, in an effort to help mental health and family law professionals. Topics covered include:
• The evolution of custody law,
• the methodology and process in child custody assessments,
• a deconstruction of clinical assessments,
• post-assessment activities, critiques, second opinions and testifying at trial,
• Formulating parenting plans, and
• Sole, joint and parallel parenting in the literature and in the courts This comprehensive work is intended to be an invaluable resource to not only novice professionals but to seasoned practitioners as well. Author(s): Rachel Birnbaum, B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., Ph.D., Barbara Jo Fidler, Katherine Kavassalis Credentials: Rachel Birnbaum, B.A., B.S.W., M.S.W., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Social Work at King’s University College, University of Western Ontario. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from University of Toronto. She teaches in the area of clinical practice with children, individuals and families. Other teaching interests include ethics and the law, family mediation and collaboration between law and social work. Her research focus is on evaluation and outcome interventions in child and family issues related to separation and/or divorce. She is also a co-author of Law for Social Workers, 4th Edition and Child Custody Assessments: A Resource Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals, both published by Thomson Carswell. |
