ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to describe and reflect upon clinical work with Pakistani families in the context of court mandated parenting assessments in childcare proceedings. The Marlborough Family Service is a child and adolescent mental health service combined with an adult psychotherapy service, based in central London and part of the National Health Service (NHS). It consists of a multi-disciplinary team with a focus on systemic approaches to psychotherapy and a commitment to engaging with community groups within its catchment area. The chapter argues that accessing culture is an emotional process which requires a level of reflective practice, emotional engagement, and a reworking of cultural themes by both the clinicians and the family. Referrals are received in the form of a joint letter of instruction that provides a brief summary of the local authority's concerns and a list of questions which the parties have agreed need to be assessed.
