ParentalAlienatingBehaviours: Clearingapaththroughthecontroversy
Presentedby–AmiBartholomew&PhilippaParry-Jones Presentersemail–acb@no5.com&ppj@no5.com
NavigatingthroughtheControversy….
TheEyeoftheStorm:RichardGardener&“ParentalAlienation Syndrome”
TheCAFCASSApproach
TheWayAhead:TheFamilyJusticeCouncil
RichardGardner,M.D.
Firstcoined”ParentalAlienationSyndrome”in1985.
PASdefinedin“TheParentalAlienationSyndrome:Past,Present,andFuture” [October2002](richardgardner.com)
“(PAS)isachildhooddisorderthatarisesalmostexclusivelyinthecontextofchildcustodydisputes.Itsprimarymanifestationisthechild’scampaignofdenigration againstthealienatedparent–acampaignthathasnojustification.Itresultsfrom thecombinationofaprogramming(brainwashing)parent’sindoctrinationsandthe child’sowncontributionstothevilificationofthetargetparent.Whentrueparental abuseand/orneglectispresent,thechild’sanimositymaybejustifiedandsothe parentalalienationsyndromeexplanationofthechild’shostilityisnotapplicable.”
RichardGardner’sopinion…
PASvParentalAlienation(PA)
Whenachild’salienationisjustified,e.g.followingabuse,thenPASisnotapplicablebutthismay causePA
PAS–asub-typeofPA
Using“PA”“clearlyindicatesthatthechildrenarealienatedandthateitherparentcouldhave exhibitedbehaviourthatcouldhaveresultedinthealienation.Theterm,then,removesthe court’sfocusawayfromthealienatorandredirectsattentiontowhatmightbyonlyminor parentaldeficienciesexhibitedbythealienatingparent”.
“WhenthePASdiagnosisiswarranted,thentheprogrammingparentshouldbeblamedbecause thatparentisabusingthechild.”
“WhenthePASdiagnosisisoperative,thetargetparentisusuallyaninnocentvictim”
TheResponsetoRichardGardner’sopinion
Widespreadcriticism,includingfrom–
Judges
Lawyers
MentalHealthProfessionals
Women’sRightsOrganisations
PASisnotrecognisedinDSM-V
AflavourofRichardGardner’sresponsetocriticism–
“Judges,inmyexperience,arealsoafraidoftheoverzealoussegmentofthe women’sliberationmovement.Theyfearthatiftheyruleagainstmotherstheywill beviewedassexist.Andfemalejudgessimilarlyfeariftheyruleagainstwomen theymaybeviewedaspoliticallyincorrect.Myexperiencehasalsobeenthat therearesomewomen,whoarebiasedagainstmen,whogravitatetowardthe judiciarybecauseitgivesthemtheopportunitytovent(almostwithimpunity)their rageagainstmen.Menandtheirlawyersknowthattheydon’tstandachancein suchjudges’court.”[2002]
Itmaygowithoutsayingbutthisisnotanopinionsharedbythespeakers!!
MovingOn…
TheCAFCASSApproach
Theremaybeanumberofcausesforachild’sresistanceand/orrefusaltospendtimewitha parentpost-separation.
Children’sresistanceorrefusaltospendingtimewithaparent:Astructuredguide https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-09/Childrens-resistance-or-refusal-to-spendingtime-a-parent-guide%20%282%29.pdf
“Thereasonsforchildrefusal/resistancecanbecategorisedasthefourAs:appropriatejustified rejection,alignment/affinity,attachmentoralienatingbehaviours(Fidler,Bala&Saini2013)”
CAFCASSalsoidentifya5threason–HarmfulConflict
CAFCASSDefinitions
AppropriateJustifiedRejection
“Justifiedrejectionbythechildtospendingtimewithaparentorarealistic estrangementbecauseofharmfulparenting,includingneglectorabuseofsignificant parentinglimitations
NotetoFCAs“Thefirststepinassessingthereasonsforthechild’sresistanceor rejectionofaparentistoconsiderwhetherdomesticabuseorotherformsofharmful parenting.Keepallformsofharm,includingalienatingbehavioursinmindasyou gatherfurtherinformation
CAFCASSDefinitions
Affinity/Alignment
“Affinityiswherethechilddoesnothavestrongnegativefeelingsfortheotherparentbut prefersspendingtimewithoneparent.Alignmentbetweenaparentandchildmaydevelop before,duringorafterseparationaspartofnaturallyoccurringpreferencesorfromthe other’sparent’snon-existent,interrupted,orminimalinvolvement,inexperienceorpoor parenting(whichdoesnotreadthelevelofabuseorneglect”.
Examplesofreasonsfor“benignpost-separationparentrejection”includedislikeoftougher rulesinonehome,dislikeofupheaval,angeratdepartingparent,increasingindependence ofteenagersetc
CAFCASSDefinitions
Attachment
“Attachment–ageorgenderappropriatereactionsforresistingtimewithaparent forattachmentreasons,includingseparationanxiety.”
“Fromanattachmentperspective,achildoryoungperson’sdistressandhostilityto theparenttheydon’tlivewithmaybeinterpretedasanattempttoactivatecaregivingresponsesfromtheotherparent.IfthechilddoesnotreceiveParentA’s endorsementofParentB,ittriggers’proximity-seekingbehavioursinthechild’ towardsParentA.Proximityseekingbehaviourscouldincludecrying,clinging, defiantlyrejectingtheotherparents,aggression,withdrawingorattentivelycaring forParentA.”
CAFCASSDefinitions
•AlienatingBehaviours
“Whilethereisnosingledefinition,Cafcassusesthetermalienatingbehaviours todescribecircumstanceswherethereisanongoingpatternofnegative attitudes,beliefsandbehavioursofoneparent(orcarer)thathavethepotential orexpressedintenttoundermineorobstructthechild’srelationshipwiththe otherparent.Itisoneofanumberofreasonswhyachildmayrejectorresist spendingtimewithoneparentpost-separation”.
FurtherCAFCASSGuidancetoCFAsonAlienatingBehaviours (“ABs”)
ABspresentonaspectrumwithvaryingimpactonindividualchildren.
BothmenandwomencandemonstrateABs–
“While[ABs]canbedemonstratedsolelybyoneparent,itisoftena combinationofchildandadultbehavioursandattitudes,withbothparents playingarole,thatleadtothechildrenrejectingorresistingspendingtimewith oneparent.”
CAFCASSGuidancetoCFA’sonAlienatingBehaviours(“ABs”) cont…
EveninthemostextremecaseswhereachildissubjecttoABs,thechild mayalsoholdstrongviewsoftheirown,inadditiontothosetheyhave beencoachedtobelieve.
HarmfulConflictandDomesticAbusearedistinctfromABs(andfromone another).
CAFCASSGuidancetoFCA’sonAlienatingBehaviours (“ABs”)cont…
•Itisworthwhilerepeating–
•“[Abs]areoneofanumberofreasonswhythechildmayrejectorresist spendingtimewithoneparentpost-separation”.
CAFCASSGuidancetoParentsonABs
www.cafcass.gov.uk/parent-carer-or-family-member/applications-childarrangements-order/how-your-family-court-adviser-makes-theirassessment-your-childs-welfare-and-best-interests/alienating-behaviours
“FCAsaremindfulthatanallegationof[AB]canbeusedasacounterallegationtoanallegationofDomesticAbuse.Theyarealsoawarethat childrencanmaketheirownmindsupaboutwhathashappenedandhow theyviewaboutwhathashappenedaffectstheirattitudetolivingor spendingtimewithoneoftheirparents”
CAFCASSGuidancetoParentsonAbscont…
CFAswillusetotheChildImpactAssessmentFrameworkandOtherTools asrelevanttoeachcase.
“PerpetratorsofDomesticAbusewillsometimeattempttodeflectblame, orreverseculpabilitybymakingcounter-allegationsthatthevictimis alienatingthechildagainstthemwheninfactthechildhascometotheir ownconclusionsbasedontheirexperiences.
•FCAsnottolosesightofdistinctionbetween”justified”or“appropriate” rejectionofaparentasmybethecasewhenthechildhassuffered domesticabuseandrejectioncausebydeliberateABs.”
CAFCASSDefinitions
HarmfulContact
www.cafcass.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/Harmful%20conflict%20guide%20%20updated%20Jan%202024.pdf
Soprogressisbeingmadealongthepathoutof controversy…
Butwhataboutthewayahead?
TheFamilyJusticeCouncilWorkingGrouponRespondingto AllegationsofAlienatingBehaviours
Purposeoftheworkinggroup: Toconsidertheissuesarisingfromallegationsalienatingbehaviourbyparents fromamulti-disciplinaryviewpoint,andthereafterdevelopFJCGuidance througheachstageoftheprivatelawprocessastohowthesecomplex allegationsshouldberespondedtobythefamilycourts.
Thisisahighlypolarisedandpoliticisedareaandthereisapressingneedfor thisguidance.Wewillhopetocaptureinabalanced,clearandevidence-based waythecomplexcontextinwhichtheseallegationsaremade,understoodand respondedtowithafocusonoutcomesthataredrivenbythewelfareand wellbeingofthechild.
TheFamilyJusticeCouncilWorkingGrouponRespondingto AllegationsofAlienatingBehaviours
InterimGuidance–publishedMay2022 www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FJC-interim-Guidance-use-of-experts-in-caseswith-allegations-of-alienating-behaviours.pdf
ConsultationontheDraftGuidanceconcluded16October2023.
UpdateMarch2024–Duetosubstantialresponsetheprocesshastaken longerthatanticipatedbutFJCaimtopublishfinalversionoftheguidanceby Autumn2024
TheFamilyJusticeCouncilWorkingGrouponRespondingto AllegationsofAlienatingBehaviours
So,whathaschanged!?
AssociationofClinicalPsychologistsissuedastatementin2021
-UnregisteredPsychologicalexpertsreportingincasesinvolvingparental alienation
-ParentalAlienationis‘aprocessofmanipulation,notadiagnosis’.
-ItistheCourt’sjobtoidentifyandfindthatalienatingbehaviourshaveoccurred.
-Itisnotasyndrometobediagnosed.
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
SirAndrewMcFarlane(PresidentoftheFamilyDivision)–February2023
-Facts:
•Twochildren,13and11attimeofAppeal
•Parentsseparatedin2014&madeapplicationsundertheChildrenAct1989
•FinalOrdersmadein2015forthechildrentoresidewithMumandpermittedher torelocatewithinEnglandandWalesandforthechildrentohavecontactwith Dad
•Late2018,crossapplications,Mum’sapplicationtosuspendcontactandDad’s applicationtoenforcethe2015order
•Proceedingsweresuspendedtoallowfortherapyandforthepartiestoagreea wayforward,however,proceedingswereresumedin2019,withthechildren beingaddedaspartiesviaa16.4Guardianbeingappointed
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345(Fam)
March2020directionsorderforinterimcontactandcasemanagement: 'Expertevidence
24.ThefathermadeanapplicationpursuanttoPart25FamilyProceedingsRules2010for theinstructionofaChildandAdolescentPsychiatristorchildpsychologist.
25.ThemotherandtheGuardianagreedthattheinstructionofanexpertwasnecessary.
26.TheCourtconsidersthatitisnecessarytoinstructanexperttoconsiderthereasonsand causesof[theolderchild's]unwillingnesstoseeorspeaktoherfatherand[theyounger child's]pastunwillingnesstodo[so]andassesstheiremotionalneedstoinformtheCourtas totheappropriatechildarrangementsthatshouldbeputinplaceforeachchild.Withoutthis expertevidencetherewillbealacunaintheevidencewhichwillpreventtheCourtfrom reachingdecisionsinthechildren'sbestinterests.
27.Thedisciplineoftheexpertshallbeeitherachildandadolescentpsychiatristora psychologist.Permissiontotheexperttoseebothchildren.
28.Dr[A],psychologist,shallbejointlyinstructedonbehalfofallpartiestoundertakean assessmentofthefamily.'
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
-MsAfiledherreportinOctober2020 -Thereportconcludedthattheeldestshowedsignsofbeingseverelyalienated andtheyoungestwasonthesametrajectory.
-On16thOctober2020,HHJDavisorderedtheremovalofthechildrenfromtheir motherandforthemtohavenocontactuntilafullerhearingon29&30October.
-On30thOctoberitwasorderedthattheeldestshouldweeklyboardatschooland haveherbasewithherauntandtheyoungestshouldresidewithDad. -LimitedcontactwasaffordedtoMum.
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
TheJudgeheldthatMum’sevidencewasneitherreliablenorcredible,in contrasttoDad’s.
AnumberofadversefindingsweremadeagainstMumaroundparental alienation.
TheJudgeacceptedtheconclusionsofMsA’sreportthatthechildrenhad beensubjecttoalienatingbehaviouronthepartofMum,whichhadcaused significantemotionaldamage.
TheJudgeacceptedtheconclusionoftheGuardian’s,followingherown analysis,usingtheCAFCASSalienationtool,thatwithoutsignificant change,thenegativeviewofDadwouldbecomeentrenchedandcause longtermemotionalharm.
TheJudgefoundtheGuardian’sown,independentanalysiscompelling.
Finalordersweremadeforthechildrentolivewiththeirfather,withaperiod ofnocontactwithMum,toallowthemtosettleandthenhercontactwasto developinaccordancewiththefinalorder.
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
-Mumsoughttoappealonthefollowingground: ‘Thejudgewaswronginrelyinguponthereportof[MsA]whomholdsherselfoutasa "psychologist"andgivesdiagnosesdespitenotbeingqualifiedtodoso;thejudgewas wrongtogiveanyweighttoherreportgiventhatshedoesnotmeetthecriteriainPart25 FPR.Inthisregardthejudgecompletelyfailedtodealwiththecriticismsmadeonthemother's behalfof[MsA],andwaswronginthecircumstancestoaccepttheexpertiseandthe recommendationsof[MsA].’
-Thisapplicationwasrefusedonthebasisitwas‘totallywithoutmerit’
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
April2022,MumissuedaPart25applicationforpermissiontoinstructan experttosupportherapplicationfortheJune2021findingstobereopened.
TheexpertreportwastolookatMsA’sprofessional/clinicalqualificationsto undertakeanassessmentofchildren/adults.
MwishedtoinstructProfessorWang,clinicalpsychologist&chairoftheACP.
ProfessorWangsentanemailtotheCourtsettingouthisviewonthe expertiseofMsA,withoutpermission.
Thisapplicationwasnotallowed,onthebasisthatanyreportfrom ProfessorWangwasnotnecessarywhendeterminingM’sapplicationto reopenthefindings.
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345(Fam)
Applicablelawwhenconsideringanyapplicationtoreopen–ReE[2019]EWCACiv1447 "Acourtfacedwithanapplicationtoreopenapreviousfindingoffactshouldapproachmattersinthis way:
(1)Itshouldreminditselfattheoutsetthatthecontextforitsdecisionisabalancingofimportant considerationsofpublicpolicyfavouringfinalityoflitigationontheonehandandsoundly-basedwelfare decisionsontheother.
(2)Itshouldweighupallrelevantmatters.Thesewillinclude:theneedtoputscarceresourcestogood use;theeffectofdelayonthechild;theimportanceofestablishingthetruth;thenatureandsignificance ofthefindingsthemselves;andthequalityandrelevanceofthefurtherevidence.
(3)'Aboveall,thecourtisboundtowanttoconsiderwhetherthereisanyreasontothinkthata rehearingoftheissuewillresultinanydifferentfindingfromthatintheearliertrial.’ Theremustbesolidgroundsforbelievingthattheearlierfindingsrequirerevisiting."
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345(Fam)
-Mumappealedonthefollowinggrounds:
1)thejudgewaswrongtodeterminetheapplicationwithoutexpertevidenceastoMsA’squalificationstodischarge herinstructions;
2)thejudgewaswrongtoholdthattherewas'nonewevidenceorinformation'where:
a)TheCourtignoredthecommunicationfromProfWang;
b)TheJudgefailedtocommissionastatement/reportfromtheformerguardian;
c)TheJudgefailedtoplaceanyweightonrecentguidanceissuedsincetheprimaryhearing; 3)thejudgefailedtoapplyFPR2010,PD25Bproperly:
a)byequatingtheAcademyofExpertswithbodiessuchastheBPSandtheACP; b)byfailingtohaveregardtotheissueofpublicprotection; 4)thejudgefailedtohaveregardtospecificcriticismsofMsA'sworkinthepresentcase; 5)thejudgefailedtohaveregardtothechildren'sproperinterestintherebeinganinvestigationintotheadequacyof thefindings.
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)
-ACP’sskeleton–
'2.Havingreviewedthepaperswithgreatcare,thestrikingfeaturenotedbytheACPUKandwhatitissubmittedmustbethisCourt'sfirstfindingandstartingpoint,isthat thisisnotacaseofanexpertwhohasdischargedtheirrolepoorlyorgonebeyond theirremit,butisastarkandtroublingexampleofanindividualwhoholdsherselfout asanexpertbuthasneitherthequalificationsnortherelevantskillstosohold.This is,therefore,anexampleoftherealandseriousconsequencesthatfollowwhena personwhoisnotanexpertatallisbroughtin,byorderoftheFamilyCourt,to assessandmakerecommendationsaboutafamilysuchasthisone.Thecasefor andimportanceofproperqualificationandregulationisfortifiedbyreferencetowhat wentwronginthiscase.'[originalemphasis]
7(b)ItwasnotappropriateforMs[A]tohavebeeninstructedtoreportin theseproceedings,andnoweightcanorshouldbeattachedtoher conclusions.Sheisnotqualified(clinicallyorotherwise)toeitherassessthe familyinthewayshehaspurportedtoassessthemnortoanswerthe questionsposedintheletterofinstructiondated13thMay2020.7
(c)Thepresentcaseisaconcerningexampleoftheconsequencesof instructinganexpertwhoisnot,infact,anexpertatall,andthenactingon theiradvice.ItisapracticethatmustswiftlycometoanendintheFamily Court,orelsetheCourtitselfrisksbecominganagentofharm.'
Therearenine‘protectedtitles’:
ClinicalPsychologist
•CounsellingPsychologist
•EducationalPsychologist
•ForensicPsychologist
HealthPsychologist
OccupationalPsychologist
•SportandExercisePsychologist
•RegisteredPsychologist
PractitionerPsychologist
•InadditionthereisaCharteredPsychologist,gradeofBPSmembership, openonlytopractitionerswithcertainpost-graduatequalificationsandwho hadbeenvettedbytheBPS
Pleaseundertakeanassessmentof thechildrenfocusingontheirglobal functioning,intellectual,emotional, socialandbehaviouraldevelopment andcommentonanymattersof concern
President’sMemorandum:ExpertsintheFamilyCourt–4October 2021:
-'DutiestotheCourtandProfessionalStandards
-FPRPD25Bsetsoutthedutiesoftheexperttothecourt.PD25Bpara4.1(b)requiresanexperttocomply withtheStandardssetoutintheAnnex.Theseincluderequirementstohavebeenactiveintheareaof work;tohavesufficientexperienceoftheissues;tohavefamiliaritywiththebreadthofcurrentpractice oropinion;andiftheirprofessionalpracticeisregulatedbyaUKstatutorybody(seeTable1)thattheyare inpossessionofacurrentlicence,areuptodatewithCPDandhavereceivedappropriatetrainingonthe roleofanexpertinthefamilycourts.PsychologistsaremainlyregulatedbytheHealthandCare ProfessionsCouncil.TheFamilyJusticeCouncilhasissuedguidancejointlywiththeBritishPsychological Societyonprovidingexpertreportsinthefamilycourts[referenceto2016guidancenowsuperseded].
--Wheretheexpertisnotsubjecttostatutoryregistration(i.e.childpsychotherapists)para6oftheAnnex identifiesalternativeobligationstoensurecompliancewithappropriateprofessional standards.ConclusionTheFamilyCourtadoptsarigorousapproachtotheadmissionofexpertevidence. Asthereferencesinthismemorandummakeplain,pseudo-science,whichisnotbasedonanyestablished bodyofknowledge,willbeinadmissibleintheFamilyCourt.'
President’saddressinJersey–8October2021
"Onespecificproblemwhichissaidtoariseincasesofdomesticabuseisthenotinfrequentcounter assertionthatthepersonmakingallegationsofabuseisthemselvescausingharmtothechildby 'parentalalienation'.Thisisacomplexandsensitiveissue,andintheshorttimeavailableinthis addressIseektomakeoneandonepointonlyaboutit.Wheretheissueofparentalalienationis raisedanditissuggestedtothecourtthatanexpertshouldbeinstructed,thecourtmustbecareful onlytoauthorisesuchinstructionwheretheindividualexperthasrelevantexpertise.InthisregardI drawattentiontothefactthatIamabouttoissueaGeneralMemorandumonthetopicofthe instructionofexperts.WithinthatIstressthatan'expertmustdemonstratetothecourtthatheorshe hastherelevantknowledgeandexperiencetogiveeitheropinionevidence,orfactualevidencewhich isnotbasedexclusivelyonpersonalobservationorsensation'.Ialsoemphasisethatanexpertmust beindependentandimpartialandthat'thecourtwillrefusetoauthoriseoradmittheevidenceofan expertwhosemethodologyisnotbasedonanyestablishedbodyofknowledge'.Iconcludeby saying:'TheFamilyCourtadoptsarigorousapproachtotheadmissionofexpertevidence.Asthe referencesinthismemorandummakeplain,pseudo-science,whichisnotbasedonanyestablished bodyofknowledge,willbeinadmissibleintheFamilyCourt.”
ACPguidance–TheProtectionofthePublicintheFamilyCourts–December2021
'IntermsofPsychologists,onlyapractitionerpsychologist(currentlyregisteredwithHCPC ['HealthandCareProfessionsCouncil'])suchasaClinicalPsychologistcangiveadiagnosis orformulationormakerecommendationsabouttherapeuticinterventions.Some,butnotall practitionerpsychologists,canmakerecommendationsaboutcapacity.ACP-UKisawareof severalcasesinwhich"psychologicalexperts"whoarenotHCPCregisteredhave suggestedinappropriatediagnosesandmaderecommendationsforchildrentoberemoved fromtheirmothersbasedonthesediagnoses.ACP-UKwishestosupportthoseinstructing expertsforthecourtstounderstandtheimportanceofusingHCPCregisteredpractitioner psychologistsandisavailableforconsultationonsuchmatters.Morebroadly,toprotectthe publicfromharm,theACP-UKiscampaigningforlegislationtoprotecttheterm "psychologist"andrestrictthistousebypractitionerpsychologistsregulatedbytheHCPC.'
FJC&BPSjointguidance–PsychologistsasExpertWitnessesinthe FamilyCourtsinEnglandandWales:Standards,Competenciesand Expectations–May2022
'3.1StatutoryregulationforpsychologyintheUKwasintroducedin2009andthe HealthandCareProfessionsCouncil(HCPC)istheregulatorofpractitioner,or registered,psychologists.Practitionerpsychologistswhohavethequalifications necessarytomeetthestringentcriteriaforstatutoryregulationwiththeHCPC,are registeredwiththeHCPCwithone(ormore)'protected'titles.Thelegislation protectsseventitles:ClinicalPsychologist,HealthPsychologist,Counselling Psychologist,EducationalPsychologist,OccupationalPsychologist,Sportand ExercisePsychologist,andForensicPsychologist.Inaddition,thetwogenerictitles –PractitionerPsychologistandRegisteredPsychologist–areavailableto registrantswhoalreadyholdoneoftheseven'specialist'titles.SeeAppendix1fora detaileddescriptionofprotectedtitles.
3.2Thesetitlesareprotectedbylaw.Anyonewhousesaprotectedtitlemustbe registeredwiththeHCPC.Article39(1)oftheHealthProfessionsOrder2001makes itacriminaloffenceforaperson,withintenttodeceive,tostatethattheyareonthe HCPCRegister;touseadesignatedtitletowhichtheyarenotentitled;ortosay falselythattheyhavequalificationsasapractitionerpsychologist.Anunregistered personmaybecommittinganoffenceeveniftheydonotusethedesignatedtitle directly,suchasdescribingtheservicetheyprovideas'clinicalpsychology'or 'forensicpsychology’.’
'3.8CourtsshouldexpectthatallpsychologistsbasedintheUKprovidingevidence infamilyproceedingsareregulatedbytheHCPC(iftheyarepractitioners)and/or thatacademicpsychologistshaveCharteredmembershipwiththeBPS.’
ReC(ParentalAlienation:InstructionofExpert)[2023]EWHC345 (Fam)–Outcome
-SubstantiveappealagainsttheJudge’srefusaltore-openthefactfinding processwasdismissed.
-Courtmustnotlosesightofthefocusoftheappeal,MsA’squalifications werebutonefactor.
-HHJDavies’madeclearadversefindingsagainstMother.Thesefindings werebasedonherownassessment,basedonthewrittenandoralevidence beforeher.‘Theywerefreestandingfindingsandnotbasedupontheanalysis andconclusionsofeitherMsAortheGuardian’.
-HHJDavieswassatisfiedthattheGuardian’sconclusionswereasa resultofherownevaluation.
-MsA’sreportwasthethirdelement,compatiblewiththeJudgeand Guardian’sconclusions,butnotmoreinfluential.
-TheappealcamebeforethisCourtonthebasisofconsideringthewider issues,PeelJofcourseinitiallyrefusedtheappealduetoitbeing’totally withoutmerit’.
GB(part25application:ParentalAlienation)[2023]EWFC150
M&Fseparated
ChildrenlivedwithM
Fhadindirectcontact
PsychologicalassessmentbyDrLopez
ReportfromDrKraft
ChildandFamilyassessmentbytheLocalAuthority
S.17assessment
S.7reportwithtwoaddendumsfromCafcass
GB(part25application:ParentalAlienation)[2023]EWFC150
FirstGroundofAppealrelatedtothequestions:
1stquestionforDrAurora
"Pleasecommentonwhethertheattitudeoftheparentstowardstheotherisapositiveor negativeone,andwhetherinlightofyourassessmentarelationshipbetweenthechildrenand theotherparentisfullysupported.Ifnot,howcanthisbechanged?"
2ndQuestionforDrAurora
"Pleasecommentuponeachoftheparent'sabilitytopromoteahealthyrelationship betweenthechildrenandtheotherparent,bothinthepast,currentlyandinthelongterm.Ifyou believethateitherparenthastriedtoalienatethechildrenfromtheotherparent,orhas exhibitedalienatingbehaviours,eitherdeliberatelyorunintentionally,pleasecommentonthe impactuponthechildren;whatworktheparentorparentswillneedtoundertaketoremedyany suchnegativeinfluence;timescalesandcost."
GB(part25application:ParentalAlienation)[2023]EWFC150
Second&Thirdgroundofappealweretakentogether
TheJudgewaswrongtoorderaglobalpsychologicalassessmentof thefamilywithoutconsideringthetestofnecessityunderp.25FPR 2010;
TheJudgefailedtogiveanyreasonsfororderingthepsychological assessment.
Appealwassuccessfulonallthreegrounds.
Sowheredoesthisleaveus?
•Ifwereflaggingupalienatingbehaviours–dosoattheearliestpoint.
Ifthethreecomponentsarepresent,itwillbekickeduptoaJudge,notheard orcasemanagedbyMagistrates.
Threeelements:
Isthereevidencethatthechildisrefusing,resistantorreluctanttoengagewitha parent;
Isthereluctance,refusalorresistanceaconsequenceoftheactionsofthenonresidentparenttowardsthechildorresidentparent?
Oneparenthasengagedinbehavioursthathavedirectlyorindirectlyimpactedon thechild,leadingtothechild’srefusal,resistanceorreluctancetoengageina relationshipwiththeotherparent
ParentalAlienatingBehaviours:
Presentedby–AmiBartholomew&PhilippaParry-Jones Presentersemail–acb@no5.com&ppj@no5.com