1. The new Guidelines for Specialist Report writers (psychologists) in the Family Court New Zealand Psychological Society Annual Conference Rotorua, July 17-20, 2010 Dr Suzanne Blackwell Professor Fred Seymour

3. Care of Children Act (2004)

4. Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2004)

5. Code of Ethics (2002)

6. Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses

7. New Practice Note

8. Case law e.g. K v K

10. Recording Technology Safety/ security issues More self-represented litigants More litigious society

11. This means we must adapt to changes Better methodology and justification for departures from standard methodology Better control of the assessment process Better boundaries in assessment process

12. Consistent reading and correct application of research literature Better reports that have relevant information that is synthesised by the report writer Clarity and format of reports Appropriate supervision On going professional development Stay within areas of expertise

13. Greater attention to consent procedures Greater professionalism What are the hallmarks of this?

15. Current research on methodology

16. Current research on Family Court issues

17. Case law

18. New Practice note

19. Code of Conduct for Expert witnesses

20. Disciplinary tribunal and PB decisions

21. Code of Ethics

24. Boundary setting at outset

25. Structure of assessment

26. Safety considerations

27. Cultural aspects

28. Interview methodology (adults)

29. Who ?

30. When ?

31. What ?

32. Why ?

34. Age

35. Where ?

36. When ?

37. With whom???

38. Questioning forms (vital)

39. Language (child appropriate)

40. Trauma issues

41. Loyalty issues

44. What ?

45. Why ?

46. Relevance

47. Interview of collateral interviewees

48. Who ?

49. Why ?

50. Balance

51. Professionals

54. Expertise

55. Child’s access to report

56. Interviews

57. Documents

58. Methodology

59. Background (focussed)

60. The child

61. Answers to terms of reference

63. Finally The guidelines cover Care of Children Act Also CYPF Act Where there are different issues these are delineated Hopefully they will assist us through the next decade

64. Thank you Any correspondence to Dr Suzanne Blackwell Suzanne.blackwell@xtra.co.nz s.blackwell@auckland.ac.nz Professor Fred Seymour f.seymour@auckland.ac.nz