When the system fails the parents, how can it protect the children? Welcome to the secretive world of the Family Court.

What’s it like to act for a father who has recently overcome his drug problem but risks losing his beloved son to foster care? Or to represent a young mother whose abusive childhood has left her depressed and struggling to cope, leading the local authority to seek to persuade the Family Court to place her small children for adoption?

In this hard-hitting account of her work representing parents in care proceedings, child protection lawyer Teresa Thornhill conveys the dilemmas inherent in the job and demonstrates how our under-resourced system of child protection often fails to provide the necessary support for vulnerable parents to continue caring for their children.

‘A vivid account of all the terrible things that can happen to children and all the challenges facing lawyers and social workers in our child protection system. It doesn’t have to be this way, so what can be done about it?’ Rt Hon Lady Hale DBE, Formerly President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

‘Should be required reading for those who care about how society treats our most vulnerable citizens.’ Louise Allen, Sunday Times bestselling author.

‘This timely book resonated with my experiences as a children’s social worker and probation officer; it’s a refreshingly honest account of our dysfunctional child protection system.’ Joanna Hughes, former children’s social worker and probation officer.

Pages: 304, Year of Publication: 0520, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm