ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on one aspect, the impact of possible publication on the relationship between the child and the adults who are advising the court. It argues that the legislation was passed with reckless disregard for the impact on groups of professionals who work in family courts, predicting a consequent loss of effectiveness of family justice. The chapter also argues that the way in which the duty of confidentiality between doctor and patient and social worker and client was ignored in the debates indicates a serious lack of regard to the ethics of health and social care. Reports by independent social workers have become increasingly common, assisting the court with assessments of parenting ability and the viability of alternative carers within the extended family. In 2010, an Interdisciplinary Alliance for Children of 22 organizations including legal and social work professional bodies; and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, drafted a parliamentary briefing paper on the implications of the Bill.
