Child mental health expert witness course

Monday - Tuesday  25 - 26 June 2012

Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, LONDON, W1G 0AE

This 2 day course concentrates on the technique involved in acting as expert witness for child mental health professionals and has five main components.

Firstly there are initial lectures on:
The law pertaining to children
The role of the mental health professional
Receiving instruction.

That is followed by a second part consisting of lectures on:
Assessing children
Assessing parenting and families

The last lecture style presentations are on
Writing a report.
Giving evidence

Seminars and a 'Mock Court'
Before the course participants are sent details of a 'case' with a set of instructions. At the end of the first day a seminar is held to go through the case in order to help participants write a report (which hopefully they can prepare over night if they have not done so already). First thing on the second day another small group seminar examines the issues and manner of presentation. The afternoon of the second day is very special. Barristers from a good set of chambers hold a mock court at which each participant is invited to give evidence. This is a safe venue in which to practice and witnesses are given advice on the pro and cons of their technique.