Courts considering the future of maltreated children face complex and controversial questions, and the professional experts advising the courts must often address dilemmas which are key to the child’s future but challenge the limits of current knowledge. Studies in the Assessment of Parenting brings together experts who consider difficult questions that can arise during family proceedings, and respond with practical approaches for dealing with these demanding and complex issues. A wide range of chapter topics place emphasis on considering the child’s perspective whilst assessing parents who show a range of problems. Chapter topics are presented as challenging questions such as: what principles guide parenting assessments?; can parents with personality disorders adequately care for children?; and how does a judge weigh up a case?;This volume offers a review of the latest literature but moreover a practical guide essential to those such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and paediatricians who give their expert opinions to courts in child care cases. In addition it should inform a range of professionals involved in day-to-day child protection work or whose role it is t