This episode delves into the concept of assessing and managing risks in various aspects of life, using the analogy of crossing a busy road without a pedestrian crossing. The episode highlights how individuals often underestimate risks due to factors they cannot see or control, drawing parallels to parents who may pose risks to their children. It discusses the importance of considering factors such as a parent's history, level of insight, and support networks in determining the potential harm a child may face. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Risk assessment is crucial in everyday situations, such as crossing a road, as unseen factors can significantly increase the level of risk.

• Parents with a history of adverse childhood experiences may pose a higher risk to their children due to normalised harmful behaviours.

• Lack of insight and denial of personal issues can lead parents to expose their children to considerable harm.

• Identifying and evaluating a parent's strengths, such as a strong attachment to their child or a supportive network, is essential in assessing the risks they pose.

• Balancing a parent's weaknesses and strengths, along with considering hidden or unknown factors, is necessary to determine the level of risk a child may face.

BEST MOMENTS

"When crossing a road, there are vehicles you can see and vehicles or situations you cannot. You cannot accurately take into account things you cannot see or quantify."

"Parents who pose a major risk of harm to their children are often not in full control of themselves and tend to be in denial concerning the extent of their problems."

"One of the first matters to consider when attempting to analyse the risks posed by a parent is their history."

"If parents do not recognise that they have shortcomings in certain areas, they are then poorly motivated to make changes in their life to address this shortcoming."

"Balancing their overall weaknesses and strengths contributing to a child's care is a task that needs to be carefully and thoroughly considered."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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HOST BIO

Michael Watson is a qualified social worker and author with over thirty years of experience working with children and families. As an expert in family court, Michael is in a key position to assist, advise, and coach parents through their private law family proceedings and provide them with the information and skills to represent themselves successfully in court. His two books, ‘How to Represent Yourself in Family Court’, and ‘FAMILY COURT: Giving Evidence In Family Court’, provide parents with a clearer understanding of family court proceedings, legislation, and parenting skills.