Counter-Transference in a Case Conference: Resistance and Rejection in Work with Abusing Families and their Children

Abstract

In this chapter I want to look at the process whereby a group of concerned professionals, who have met to discuss the best way of helping a child and its family, end up by seeming to reject the family and child in their distress and pathology and to resist allowing themselves to get too closely involved with them. I will be looking at some of the processes involved from a psychoanalytic point of view.

The datum on which this chapter is based is derived from a research study into social work decision-making and management practices in cases of child abuse. The study, which was funded by the Department of Health and Social Security, was carried out between 1978 and 1982 by the author and Dr Iain Farquhar at the Child Care and Development Group, University of Cambridge. Among other aspects, the study involved the detailed observation and recording of 90 case conferences called to decide whether or not a child should be placed on the Child Abuse Register.