Description
Book SynopsisTo avoid unfair and abusive practice in social care, policy makers and professionals need to examine the body of values, rules and methods which guide their work, and to move towards a more sophisticated participatory approach to social responsibility.
Presenting the stories of individuals from all levels of the social and legal systems, including service users, judges, therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, social policy academics and parents, Ethical Practice and the Abuse of Power in Social Responsibility 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 in statutory agency decision making
* the 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 is essential reading 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.
Table of Contents1. Introduction, Helen Payne, University of Hertfordshire. 2. Challenging the Power of Professionals: Involving the Community in Tackling Poverty, Roger Green, University of Hertfordshire and Andy Turner, Kingsmead Kabin Project. 3. The Rights of Children in Statutory Decision Making, Brian Littlechild, University of Hertfordshire. 4. Theatres of Justice: The Need for Ethical Practice in the Family Legal System, Lee Heal, Service User. 5. Representing Parents in Care Proceedings: Does the Legal System Fail to let Them Play a Real Part?, Sue Williscroft, Leeds Deputy District Judge and Family Lawyer. 6. A Child Psychiatric Perspective on the Use of the Courts and Child Welfare, Judith Trowell and Lois Colling, Tavistock Clinic. 7. The Experience of a Professional Witness in Court: Wading with a Child Against the Tide, Maria Pozzi, Child Psychotherapist, Hertfordshire Health Authority. 8. The Betrayed Truth, Maggie Lane, Service User, A National Voice. 9. Surviving an Abusive System, Peter Beresford, Centre for Citizen Participation, Brunel University and Anne Wilson, Service User. 10. System Abuse: Social Violence and Families, Sue Amphlett, Service User, Parents Against Injustice. 11. Serial Abuse, Mary Neville, Victim. List of Organisations. List of Contributors. References. Index
