The Ten Top Tips series considers some of the fundamental themes in child care practice in concise, practical guides ideal for busy practitioners.

Preparing and presenting cases to court is often a key part of the social workers role, but can be a daunting prospect, especially for new practitioners. Knowing how best to prepare, how to work with lawyers, how to behave in court and how to help the court make the right decision for the child will have far-reaching consequences. So what can social workers do to increase their confidence in this environment and ensure that their day in court has a positive outcome?

This book looks at some steps that workers can take to get the most out of going to court – before, during and after the actual hearing. The guide focuses on the court processes of England and Wales, although basic court skills will also be common to Northern Ireland.

Alexandra Conroy Harris:
Alexandra Conroy Harris is the Legal Consultant for CoramBAAF.