Extra‐Judicial Conferences in Child Welfare Cases: Reassessing their Role and Implications for Practice and Policy

Child welfare agencies increasingly utilize family team decision‐making conferences in cases where there is a pending child protection matter in family court. The simultaneous proceedings present critical questions for all practitioners and judges about the relationship between the court and the age...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Juvenile & family court journal 2017-03, Vol.68 (1), p.49-65
Main Author: Finck, Kara R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child Welfare
Children
Conferences
Confidentiality
Coordination
Courts
Families & family life
Family law
Family Team Conferences
Judges & magistrates
Parental rights
Representing Children
Representing Parents
Teams
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Summary:Child welfare agencies increasingly utilize family team decision‐making conferences in cases where there is a pending child protection matter in family court. The simultaneous proceedings present critical questions for all practitioners and judges about the relationship between the court and the agency, and implications for the rights of parents and children. This article discusses the critical tensions raised when the agency pursues extra‐judicial conferences in the absence of coordination with and recognition of the court process, including expectations of confidentiality, the role of attorneys in conferences and the perception of fairness in both forums.
ISSN:0161-7109
1755-6988
DOI:10.1111/jfcj.12085