Carter Brown Associates

Carter Brown Associates http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/ Carter Brown Associates RSS News Feed Expert Focus: Issue 5 Expert Focus is a dedicated feature where we provide an overview of associates with key specialisms.Sonia B. - Forensic Psychologist Key Areas: Risk Assessment, Personality Disorders, Cognitive Functioning, Drug & Alcohol Misuse, Attachment, Coping Abilities / Malingering / Denial Of Offending, Adult Mental Health / Aggression, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy / Schema Therapy Sonia is a Forensic Psychologist. She has worked in a forensic setting for over 10 years. She currently works in a Medium Security Hospital with adults who have mental health problems, personality disorders, learning difficulties and a forensic history.She has carried out Psychological Risk Assessments for the purpose of Court and Parole Hearings and bespoke Psychological Reports on aspects of Forensic Psychology. Sonia has worked with various clients including life sentenced prisoners, individuals who have offended sexually, violent offenders and individuals who present with mental illness and a dual diagnosis.Sonia has experience of psychological interventions on both a group and individual basis. These have been Cognitive Behavioural and Schema Therapy based treatments, designed to assist with a range of psychological problems such as anxiety, stress, cognitive deficits, emotional management, substance misuse, offending behaviour, personality disorders and violence.With experience of psychological services in the UK, Italy and Canada, Sonia is based in Hertfordshire and is willing to travel for assessments.Helen M. - Clinical Psychologist Key Areas: Assessment of adults, Assessment of children, Family Dynamics, Parenting Risk, Ability to protect, Ability to care/parent, Ability to separate, Attachment, DV, Abuse and neglect - physical, emotional, sexual, behavioural problems, Capacity to change, Ability to work with professionals, Capacity to InstructHelen is a clinical psychologist based in Shropshire. She has been working clinically for over fourteen years in the private sector, the NHS and as an independent practitioner. She has worked in a range of settings, including secure inpatient adolescent units, general psychiatric hospitals and care homes, contact centres and the community, including people’s homes.Helen has experience of conducting comprehensive psychological assessments for clients across the lifespan using formal procedures and other methods of assessments including observations and collating information from multiple sources. Helen is experienced in assessing a broad range of psychological and social problems with individuals, couples, parents, other family members and family groups. She works with adults, children and families in relation to a range of clinical needs and regularly liaises with solicitors among other professionals to provide expert reports.As part of her NHS work with Looked After Children, she has carried out assessments upon the instruction of local authority solicitors where young people were subject to care proceedings.She also carried out training for foster carers and other professionals on a range of clinical areas including attachment, behaviour management and self harm. Alison S. - Educational Psychologist Key Areas: Children with Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties, ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Functioning, Child ProtectionAlison has worked in the field of Educational Psychology for six years. Prior to working for the Local Authority, she worked as a teacher and as an advisory teacher for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.She has worked for the Local Authority and independently with children and families across the ability spectrum, tackling developmental issues such as Autism, ADHD and dyslexia.Alison has experience of working with those at risk, such as Children in Care; supporting local Children & Young People's services teams in this area. She also has experience of working within CAMHS to address the mental health of children and young people. She is based in North Derbyshire and is willing to travel for assessments. To find out more about these associates and how their expertise can be of benefit to your Proceedings, please contact our Referrals Team on 01623 661 089, email <a href="mailto:referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Expert%20Focus%3A%20Issue%202%20-%20Further%20Information%20on%20Experts&body=Name%20of%20Enquirer%3A%0D%0ATelephone%3A%0D%0AEmail%3A%0D%0ANature%20of%20Query%3A">referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/admin/shop_admin.php?p=edit_blog&edit_id=14#" onclick="popupContactExpertForm2(''); return false;">click here</a> to make a referral. <div> </div> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Expert_Focus_Issue_5--post--19.html Expert Focus: Issue 4 Expert Focus is a dedicated feature where we provide an overview of associates with key specialisms. This issue focuses upon three associates in particular.Louise C. - Forensic Psychologist in Family Assessments Key Areas: Violence & Anger Management Difficulties, Arson, Personality Disorder /Coping Styles & Ability, Drug & Alcohol Misuse, Self-Harm / Suicide Risk, Cognitive Functioning / Assessment of Adults, Anxiety & Depression / Relationship Difficulties, Offending HistoriesLouise is a Forensic Psychologist with experience of working with offenders in medium-secure and high-risk settings in the prison system. She currently provides reports within Family Proceedings only.With ten years of experience, Louise's main role has been the assessment of adult male high risk offenders. She is trained and experienced in the use of a variety of assessment techniques including case formulation, structured risk assessments and psychometric testing.She also has extensive experience in offering psychological interventions to offenders on both a group and individual basis; these are based on Cognitive Behavioural techniques and cover issues such as understanding offending behaviour, substance use, use of violence (including spousal violence), risk of fire-setting, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, anger management difficulties, problem solving techniques, coping skills and anxiety and depression management.Louise is based in Doncaster and is willing to travel for assessments. Gill T - Educational Psychologist Key Areas: Assessment of Children, Special Educational Needs, Social, Emotional & Behavioural Issues, Learning Difficulties / Disability, Autism & Sensory Disabilities, Attachment / Sibling & Peer Relationships, Trauma, Abuse & Neglect, Assessment of Parenting Capacity / Educational ProvisionsGill is an Educational Psychologist with nearly thirty years of experience in working within Children's Services, with roles within Local Authorities, Central Government and Consultancy at the Public Level.She has considerable experience in the assessment of children with a broad range of needs, within complex and sensitive family situations, covering social, emotional and behavioural issues, Special Educational needs, Disability, Autism, Learning Difficulties, Attachment Issues and the Assessment of Parenting Capacity and Assessment of Educational Provision.Gill is an experienced senior manager within local authorities and has managed an Educational Psychology Service, a Behaviour Support Service, an Education Welfare Service and an Education Service for Looked After Children. The work of all of these services focuses on the assessment and delivery of required provision for the most vulnerable children and their families.Gill is based in Nottinghamshire and is available to travel for assessment. Emily M. - Counselling Psychologist Key Areas: Adult mental health, including depression and anxiety, Post traumatic stress disorder, Assessment of children, young people and Adults, Attachment, Family Dynamics, Trauma, Abuse and Neglect issues, Eating Disorders, Motivation to change, Theraplay Emily is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist based in West Yorkshire with experience of working in private and public settings. Since August 2007, she has worked in private practice conducting assessments, writing reports and delivering one-to-one therapy to children, adolescents and adults. Emily specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder using cognitive behavioural therapy. Issues addressed in therapy include coping with drug and alcohol use of family members, coping with childhood abuse and neglect, parenting and self-harm.Prior to this she has worked in the National Health Service in both child and adult services conducting assessments and delivering therapy to child and adult patients requiring short and longer-term interventions for complex and enduring mental health needs. To find out more about these associates and how their expertise can be of benefit to your Proceedings, please contact our Referrals Team on 01623 661 089, email <a href="mailto:referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Expert%20Focus%3A%20Issue%202%20-%20Further%20Information%20on%20Experts&body=Name%20of%20Enquirer%3A%0D%0ATelephone%3A%0D%0AEmail%3A%0D%0ANature%20of%20Query%3A">referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/admin/shop_admin.php?p=edit_blog&edit_id=14#" onclick="popupContactExpertForm2(''); return false;">click here</a> to make a referral. <div> </div> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Expert_Focus_Issue_4--post--18.html Family Justice Review Update - February 2012 The new year has started with proposals for major changes within the Family Courts. The Government has now responded to The Family Justice Review and accepted most of the proposals contained within. Please click on the link below to download the Government response as we would urge experts to read this as there are going to be significant changes required for all those working within the Family Courts. <a href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/policy/moj/family-justice-review-response.htm">http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/policy/moj/family-justice-review-response.htm</a> The main issues pertaining to experts can be found at pages 13 and 14 and then in Appendix one, paragraphs 81, 82, 84, 85, 88, 89 and 90. These are as follows: <ul><li style="text-align: justify">There is an acceptance that Experts have been used excessively and their use must be curbed</li><li style="text-align: justify">The quality of Expert assessments and reports need to be strengthened</li><li style="text-align: justify">Timescales for Expert reports must be improved to avoid delay. The timeframe for legal proceedings is being reduced to 6 months so Expert reports will need to be completed much quicker.</li><li style="text-align: justify">Minimum quality standards for the work of Experts should be developed</li><li style="text-align: justify">Experts must provide high quality evidence</li><li style="text-align: justify">Experts must add value</li></ul> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Family_Justice_Review_Update__February_2012--post--16.html Expert Focus: Issue 3 Expert Focus is a dedicated feature where we provide an overview of associates with key specialisms.Tara M. - Educational Psychologist Key Areas: Abuse & Neglect in Children, Assessment of Children & Young People, Attachment Difficulties in Children, Work with Adoptive Parents & Foster Carers, Bereavement & Loss, Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties, Educational Assessment / Assessment of Special Educational NeedsTara is an experienced senior educational psychologist based in Oxfordshire. She worked with children and young people for more than twenty years, initially as a teacher and since 1999 as a psychologist.She has extensive experience of the assessment of children and young people with a wide range of needs including, those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, language and learning difficulties, and complex needs such as Down's Syndrome, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and Cerebral Palsy.Tara has considerable expertise in working with children, families and professionals in a variety of contexts including local authority maintained and special schools, pre-school settings and nurseries, and independent schools.Tara O - Clinical Psychologist Key Areas: Cognitive functioning, Assessment of Attachment,Assessment of Adults, Assessment of Children, Contact Recommendations Substance misuse, Dual Diagnosis (the interplay between mental health and substance misuse problems), Ability to protect, Anger traits and anger management skills, Behavioural IssuesTara is a Clinical Psychologist. She is experienced in the provision of psychological assessment and therapy to individuals, couples and families with complex mental health problems and also in conducting therapeutic work and psychological assessments with children.Tara has considerable experience in the supervision of Clinical Psychologists and multidisciplinary team members and regularly provide training and consultation to professionals.She is skilled in therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Attachment based interventions and Parenting interventions.Tara is based in Brighton and is available for assessments.Gemma C - Forensic PsychologistKey Areas: Risk assessment of violence, Risk assessment of Sexual Offending, Cognitive Functioning & Cognitive Deficits, Anger Management Problems, Drug or Alcohol Misuse, Anxiety & DepressionGemma is a Forensic Psychologist with considerable experience working within Her Majesty’s Prison Service. She has been in this role for over 8 years, and has experience with a wide range of clients. She conducted assessments and interventions with males and females, adults and adolescents.She has extensive experience in conducting a range of psychological assessments across different client groups presenting with a range of difficulties including mental illness, personality disorder, substance use and cognitive deficits.Gemma has undertaken an extensive number of psychological interventions with offenders on both a group and individual basis. These have been Cognitive Behavioural based treatments incorporating motivational interviewing techniques, designed to assist with a range of problems such as anger management, depression, cognitive deficits, bullying, substance use and sexual offending.Gemma is based in London and is available to travel for assessments. To find out more about these associates and how their expertise can be of benefit to your Proceedings, please contact our Referrals Team on 01623 661 089, email <a href="mailto:referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Expert%20Focus%3A%20Issue%202%20-%20Further%20Information%20on%20Experts&body=Name%20of%20Enquirer%3A%0D%0ATelephone%3A%0D%0AEmail%3A%0D%0ANature%20of%20Query%3A">referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/admin/shop_admin.php?p=edit_blog&edit_id=14#" onclick="popupContactExpertForm2(''); return false;">click here</a> to make a referral. <div> </div> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Expert_Focus_Issue_3--post--15.html Expert Focus: Issue 2 Expert Focus is a dedicated feature where we provide an overview of associates with key specialisms.Katharine A. - Clinical PsychologistKey Areas: Assessment of Children, Adolescents & Adults, Adolescent Forensic Mental Health, Risk Assessments, Children in Care, Eating Disorders (Children & Adults),Youth Offending, General Adult Mental Health Katharine is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist based in London.Since March 2011, Katharine has been working independently, providing psychological therapy for mild to moderate mental health problems in children and adults, training and consultancy to occupational health departments and employees of blue chip companies and also medico-legal assessments within Family Court Proceedings.Katharine is able to conduct assessments of the following issues; Adolescent Forensic Mental Health, Risk Assessments, Eating Disorders (Children & Adults), Youth Offending and General Adult Mental Health. She is able to conduct assessments of children, adolescents and adults and able to travel for work.Kamran K. - Educational PsychologistKey Areas: Attachment / Family Dynamics, Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Functioning, Social, Behavioural & Emotional Difficulties in Children, Mental Health in Children & Adolescents, Assessment of Special Educational Needs / Educational Assessment, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD Kamran is an Educational Psychologist and has worked in the area of educational psychology for 7 years and was formerly a teacher.He has a good knowledge of using assessments in the areas of child and adult cognitive functioning, emotional and behavioural difficulties, child and adolescent mental health as well as experience of assessing and working with children and families with attachment disorders.Kamran has worked with parents in relation to parenting skills and family dynamics and has a cultural background in working with Islamic clients and their families along with children and families where English is spoken as a second language. He has a good clinical knowledge of special educational needs and childhood developmental disorders including learning difficulties, ADHD, dyslexia and autism.Currently, Kamran is working independently. He is based in Shropshire and is willing to travel. Sarah P. - Counselling PsychologistKey Areas: Learning Disabilities, Cognitive Assessment, Parents with Learning Disability, Trauma, Capacity Assessment, Attachment, Assessment of Forensic Issues, Parenting Assessment Sarah is a Counselling Psychologist with thirteen years experience of working within NHS settings.She has specialised in the assessment and treatment of adults with learning disabilities, along with experience of working with children with a learning disability and their families.Sarah has carried out numerous assessments for the Family and Criminal Courts. She has considerable experience of providing therapeutic intervention with people with a learning disability. Her areas of special interest within the field of learning disabilities include parenting, trauma, forensic issues and dementia.Sarah is based in Berkshire and is available for assessments.To find out more about these associates and how their expertise can be of benefit to your Proceedings, please contact our Referrals Team on 01623 661 089, email <a href="mailto:referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Expert%20Focus%3A%20Issue%202%20-%20Further%20Information%20on%20Experts&body=Name%20of%20Enquirer%3A%0D%0ATelephone%3A%0D%0AEmail%3A%0D%0ANature%20of%20Query%3A">referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> or <a href="http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/admin/shop_admin.php?p=edit_blog&edit_id=14#" onclick="popupContactExpertForm2(''); return false;">click here</a> to make a referral. <div> </div> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Expert_Focus_Issue_2--post--14.html Expert Focus: Issue 1 - Dr. Leroy M Expert Focus is a dedicated feature where we provide an overview of associates with key specialisms.In this issue we focus upon Dr. Leroy M, a psychologist based in Derby.He is a Chartered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and has over a decade of experience working in both secure and community settings. Leroy's experience of working in secure settings has helped him develop a specialism in assessing clients involved in Stalking Behaviours, including cyber-stalking online.Leroy also has extensive experience in conducting psychological risk assessments on clients presenting with a range of difficulties including mental illness, personality disorder, and cognitive impairment. He specialises in adolescent mental health, young offender assessment, domestic violence, anger management, cognitive functioning, sexual offenders and violent individuals.Leroy has particular expertise in risk assessing sexual & violent offenders of all ages, including individuals who demonstrate anger management problems and suffered abuse and neglect. He has an extensive history of undertaking crisis intervention work with clients at risk of suicide and self-harm.His CV is extensive and can be found <a href="http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/?download_id=136">here</a>.To find out more about Dr. Leroy M. and how his expertise can be of benefit to your Proceedings, please contact our Referrals Team on 01623 661 089 or alternatively email <a href="mailto:referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Expert%20Focus%20-%20Information%20on%20Dr.%20Leroy%20M.&body=Name%20of%20Enquirer%3A%0D%0ATelephone%3A%0D%0AEmail%3A%0D%0A">referrals@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Expert_Focus_Issue_1__Dr_Leroy_M--post--13.html Interested in Expert Witness Work? Associate Induction Days, January-March 2012 Interested In Expert Witness Work?We are presently looking for experts that are experienced in assessing adults and/or children and adolescents in family and criminal law proceedings. Carter Brown Associates will be holding Associate Days in January for Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Independent Social Workers that are keen to provide their expertise for the Family and Criminal Court.Associate Induction Days will be held on 19th January, 25th January, 7th March and 16th March.We will not be accepting unsolicited applications. All applicants must undergo our usual recruitment process to attend these days. Interview times are available on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 15th and 16th March respectively.Potential new associates must be:<ul><li>HPC Registered</li><li>GMC Specialist register and Royal College of Psychiatrists Membership (Psychiatrists) and hold an MBChB, MD or equivalent</li><li>Hold professional indemnity insurance</li><li>Hold Enhanced CRB disclosure.</li></ul>We cannot accept applicants that do not meet these criteria.If you have always held an interest in undertaking expert witness work but never pursued this any further, we would like to hear from you. Our experienced team aim to support new experts in applying their highly-developed clinical skills to the demanding field of expert witness work and have a proven track record in doing so. To enjoy the benefits of this, you should be registered with the Health Professions Council.To provide details of your own expertise and experience please click the Join Us tab above for further information or alternatively contact Sally Astill via <a href="mailto:sally@carterbrownassociates.co.uk?subject=RE%3A%20Associate%20Induction%20Days%3A%20January-March%202012">sally@carterbrownassociates.co.uk</a> or 01623 661 089. http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Interested_in_Expert_Witness_Work_Associate_Induction_Days_JanuaryMarch_2012--post--12.html New Website Welcome to our new website – we hope that you will find the site easy to use with all of the information you need readily available. We would welcome your feedback on all aspects of the site and hope that you will continue to use Carter Brown Associates for all of your expert assessment needs. Should you experience any difficulties, please feel free to get in touch ... http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/New_Website--post--7.html Experts Fees On 3 October 2011, sections of The Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No.2) Order 2011 came into force setting maximum hourly rates for expert assessments. The new hourly rates relevant to Carter Brown Associates’ work are:Expert Non-London Hourly Rate London Hourly RateChild psychiatrist £135 £90Child psychologist £126 £90Mediator £126 £126Paediatrician £135 £90Psychiatrist £135 £90Psychologist £117 £90This is in addition to The Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2011, which set maximum hourly rates for Independent Social Work services provided within England and Wales and came into force on 5 May 2011. These rates are those routinely paid for such services by CAFCASS, that is, £33 per hour in London and £30 per hour outside of London. The same order restricted experts’ rates in respect of travel time to £40 per hour and mileage costs to £0.45 per mile, as well as setting out disbursements that the Legal Services Commission will not pay.These moves follow lengthy consultation processes and numerous reviews, to which Carter Brown Associates was a frequent contributor. Copies of Carter Brown Associates’ responses, which take into account the views of our associates, are available from our website [insert link].Carter Brown Associates has revised its rates in line with current legislation and remains committed to providing high-quality service and assessments. The changes in fees will undoubtedly see some practitioners considering their futures as expert witnesses within the Family and Criminal Courts and are likely to exacerbate problems with the supply and availability of experts in some areas.There has also been a shift in the expectations of Judges sitting within the Family Court. In May 2011, Lord Justice McFarlane implemented a ‘3 Month Practice Direction’ within the Midlands circuit stating;‘Unacceptable delay is caused to children in litigation when instructions are held in a waiting list for months before the expert is able to begin work. The work of the expert itself forms only a limited part of the time involved. With this in mind the designated Family Judges of the Midlands Region have determined that leave will not be given by the Family Courts of this region for the instruction of psychologists and independent social workers if they are unable to report within three months of the grant of leave.’While this statement may unfairly place the responsibility for delay to Child Care cases on experts, the sentiments behind it cannot be argued with. Unnecessary delay in decision-making about children’s futures is undoubtedly prejudicial to them and those around them. Since May 2011, Carter Brown Associates has made changes to our administrative systems to ensure that only experts who can provide a report within three months of a particular referral are put forward for that case. Our efforts in this area have been acknowledged by members of the Judiciary within the Midlands. http://www.carterbrownassoc.co.uk/Experts_Fees--post--4.html