Join Michael in this episode as he delves into the experiences of two individuals, who faced racism and isolation in predominantly white environments. The episode highlights how their struggles with racism, lack of support, and the pressure to fit in led to feelings of anger, aggression, and a constant state of vigilance. The episode challenges the societal ignorance towards racism and the need for empathy and recognition of its pervasive nature. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Impact of Racism: The episode highlights the significant impact of racism on individuals, particularly young black individuals, leading to feelings of isolation, aggression, and a constant need to defend oneself.


Lack of Support: Both individuals discussed in the episode felt alone in their experiences of racism, lacking support from their adoptive parents and others to discuss their struggles.


Mental Health Implications: The experiences of racism and isolation without support can negatively impact mental health, contributing to the higher rates of mental health issues among black individuals.


Expectation of Racism: The repeated experiences of racism lead individuals to expect and prepare for it, creating a constant state of anxiety and vigilance that undermines their well-being.


Persistent Wounds: Racism leaves lasting wounds that are often not addressed or resolved, leading to ongoing anger and emotional burden that individuals carry with them for years.

BEST MOMENTS

"They didn't like me because I didn't fit in. And do you know what? I didn't want to. They were picking on me because of my difference."

"I was fighting every day in school, and to be fair, I held my mum and stepdad responsible for this because I did not want to move."

"But when you fight back, you get a reputation and you don't have to do anything anyway to get hassled by the police."

"Racism is insidious. It permeates this society and many others. It survives because the whole society don't really recognise it or their part in continuing it."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

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.

Join Michael in this episode as he delves into the experiences of two individuals, who faced racism and isolation in predominantly white environments. The episode highlights how their struggles with racism, lack of support, and the pressure to fit in led to feelings of anger, aggression, and a constant state of vigilance. The episode challenges the societal ignorance towards racism and the need for empathy and recognition of its pervasive nature. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>
Impact of Racism: The episode highlights the significant impact of racism on individuals, particularly young black individuals, leading to feelings of isolation, aggression, and a constant need to defend oneself.
</li>
<li>
Lack of Support: Both individuals discussed in the episode felt alone in their experiences of racism, lacking support from their adoptive parents and others to discuss their struggles.
</li>
<li>
Mental Health Implications: The experiences of racism and isolation without support can negatively impact mental health, contributing to the higher rates of mental health issues among black individuals.
</li>
<li>
Expectation of Racism: The repeated experiences of racism lead individuals to expect and prepare for it, creating a constant state of anxiety and vigilance that undermines their well-being.
</li>
<li>
Persistent Wounds: Racism leaves lasting wounds that are often not addressed or resolved, leading to ongoing anger and emotional burden that individuals carry with them for years.
</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"They didn't like me because I didn't fit in. And do you know what? I didn't want to. They were picking on me because of my difference."
"I was fighting every day in school, and to be fair, I held my mum and stepdad responsible for this because I did not want to move."
"But when you fight back, you get a reputation and you don't have to do anything anyway to get hassled by the police."
"Racism is insidious. It permeates this society and many others. It survives because the whole society don't really recognise it or their part in continuing it."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
familycourtcoaching@gmail.com
Instagram: michael240656
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.

Have you ever wondered why some evidence you present in court is perceived as credible and noteworthy, while other evidence is disregarded? If so, you've come to the right place. As a professional, giving evidence in the family court and undergoing cross-examination can be overwhelming due to its adversarial nature. However, imagine presenting your evidence with confidence and composure, rather than anxiety and defensiveness. What if you were fully prepared for your time in the witness box? Our host has 32 years of experience in court and is the best-selling author of 'Family Court: Giving Evidence in Family Court.'



Tune in to discover how to become an InCredible Witness!

Have you ever wondered why some evidence you present in court is perceived as credible and noteworthy, while other evidence is disregarded? If so, you've come to the right place. As a professional, giving evidence in the family court and undergoing cross-examination can be overwhelming due to its adversarial nature. However, imagine presenting your evidence with confidence and composure, rather than anxiety and defensiveness. What if you were fully prepared for your time in the witness box? Our host has 32 years of experience in court and is the best-selling author of 'Family Court: Giving Evidence in Family Court.'
 
Tune in to discover how to become an InCredible Witness!

InCredible Witness

The Role Played By Racism

Join Michael as he explores the disturbing reality of parents or step-parents killing their own children, shedding light on the term "filicide" and its various forms such as neonaticide and infanticide. Through research findings and expert insights, the episode explores the motives behind filicide, ranging from altruistic reasons to revenge and emphasises the importance of understanding the underlying factors to prevent future tragedies. Overall, the episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of a tragic and sensitive topic, urging for greater awareness and prevention efforts to protect children from harm.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


On average, 58 children in the UK are killed by family members, parents, or step-parents each year, highlighting the alarming frequency of child deaths at the hands of those expected to care for them.


Filicide, the killing of one's child, is a disturbing reality that prompts questions about the motives and circumstances that lead to such heinous acts.


Mental illness plays a significant role in cases of filicide, with a study showing that 37% of perpetrators were suffering from a form of mental illness, emphasising the need for further research and understanding in this area.


Different motives for filicide include altruistic reasons, fatal abuse or ill-treatment, unwanted children, psychotic states, and revenge, shedding light on the complex psychological factors at play.


Factors such as mental health issues, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, substance misuse, and child abuse often coincide in cases of filicide, underscoring the importance of identifying and addressing these risk factors to prevent future tragedies.

BEST MOMENTS

"I was stunned by that statistic because even as a social worker who has worked with children over many years, the frequency or rate of children being killed was conspicuous."

"Filicide refers to the killing of one's son or daughter. As a result of doing this research, I was introduced to more words that I had hitherto not known about."

"In a study involving 297 cases of convicted philicides and 45 cases of philicide suicides in England and Wales between January 1997 and December 2006, it was revealed that there was an over-representation of mental illness in cases of philicide."

"Philip J. Resnick, a well-known forensic psychiatrist, found that neonaticidal mothers are often unmarried women with unwanted pregnancies who receive no prenatal care."

"Gaining as clear a picture as possible about the circumstances, reasons and factors that lead parents to perpetrate filicide are of critical significance if we are to prevent and lessen future unnecessary child deaths."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

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.

Join Michael as he explores the disturbing reality of parents or step-parents killing their own children, shedding light on the term "filicide" and its various forms such as neonaticide and infanticide. Through research findings and expert insights, the episode explores the motives behind filicide, ranging from altruistic reasons to revenge and emphasises the importance of understanding the underlying factors to prevent future tragedies. Overall, the episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of a tragic and sensitive topic, urging for greater awareness and prevention efforts to protect children from harm.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>
On average, 58 children in the UK are killed by family members, parents, or step-parents each year, highlighting the alarming frequency of child deaths at the hands of those expected to care for them.
</li>
<li>
Filicide, the killing of one's child, is a disturbing reality that prompts questions about the motives and circumstances that lead to such heinous acts.
</li>
<li>
Mental illness plays a significant role in cases of filicide, with a study showing that 37% of perpetrators were suffering from a form of mental illness, emphasising the need for further research and understanding in this area.
</li>
<li>
Different motives for filicide include altruistic reasons, fatal abuse or ill-treatment, unwanted children, psychotic states, and revenge, shedding light on the complex psychological factors at play.
</li>
<li>
Factors such as mental health issues, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence, substance misuse, and child abuse often coincide in cases of filicide, underscoring the importance of identifying and addressing these risk factors to prevent future tragedies.
</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"I was stunned by that statistic because even as a social worker who has worked with children over many years, the frequency or rate of children being killed was conspicuous."
"Filicide refers to the killing of one's son or daughter. As a result of doing this research, I was introduced to more words that I had hitherto not known about."
"In a study involving 297 cases of convicted philicides and 45 cases of philicide suicides in England and Wales between January 1997 and December 2006, it was revealed that there was an over-representation of mental illness in cases of philicide."
"Philip J. Resnick, a well-known forensic psychiatrist, found that neonaticidal mothers are often unmarried women with unwanted pregnancies who receive no prenatal care."
"Gaining as clear a picture as possible about the circumstances, reasons and factors that lead parents to perpetrate filicide are of critical significance if we are to prevent and lessen future unnecessary child deaths."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
familycourtcoaching@gmail.com
Instagram: michael240656
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.

Filicide

This episode explores the unexpected connection between social work and the act of selling. Michael talks about why social workers are constantly selling their beliefs and values to parents in order to advocate for the best interests of children. Drawing parallels between personal interactions and court appearances, Michael emphasises the importance of presenting oneself positively, both in attitude and appearance, to effectively influence others. Ultimately, the episode concludes by highlighting the crucial aspect of believing in oneself before attempting to sell one's beliefs to others.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Recognise the importance of selling oneself in various aspects of life, including social work and giving evidence in court.


Present oneself in a physically presentable manner, such as dressing appropriately, to make a good impression and show respect.


Have a positive attitude and demeanour, as it can significantly impact how one is perceived before even speaking.


Be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the evidence being presented, displaying confidence and persuasiveness.


Emphasise the significance of believing in oneself and one's abilities as a crucial aspect of effectively selling oneself to others.

BEST MOMENTS

"From being someone who was quite adverse to the idea of selling, to one in which I now accept my involvement in it and in fact recognise how important selling is to the success of my role as a social worker."

"You're actually engaged in selling yourself all the time, it's just that you don't see yourself as doing so." 

"Poor attitudes are like neon lights or neon signs glowing in the dark, announcing your poor disposition, thoughts and feelings." 

"Attending court wearing trainers, a hoodie and a pair of jeans exposing part of your underwear does not tend to portray you in the best possible light." 

"In giving great evidence at court or selling yourself well, how or the way you say it is as important, if not more so, than what you say." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

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.

This episode explores the unexpected connection between social work and the act of selling. Michael talks about why social workers are constantly selling their beliefs and values to parents in order to advocate for the best interests of children. Drawing parallels between personal interactions and court appearances, Michael emphasises the importance of presenting oneself positively, both in attitude and appearance, to effectively influence others. Ultimately, the episode concludes by highlighting the crucial aspect of believing in oneself before attempting to sell one's beliefs to others.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>
Recognise the importance of selling oneself in various aspects of life, including social work and giving evidence in court.
</li>
<li>
Present oneself in a physically presentable manner, such as dressing appropriately, to make a good impression and show respect.
</li>
<li>
Have a positive attitude and demeanour, as it can significantly impact how one is perceived before even speaking.
</li>
<li>
Be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the evidence being presented, displaying confidence and persuasiveness.
</li>
<li>
Emphasise the significance of believing in oneself and one's abilities as a crucial aspect of effectively selling oneself to others.
</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"From being someone who was quite adverse to the idea of selling, to one in which I now accept my involvement in it and in fact recognise how important selling is to the success of my role as a social worker."
"You're actually engaged in selling yourself all the time, it's just that you don't see yourself as doing so." 
"Poor attitudes are like neon lights or neon signs glowing in the dark, announcing your poor disposition, thoughts and feelings." 
"Attending court wearing trainers, a hoodie and a pair of jeans exposing part of your underwear does not tend to portray you in the best possible light." 
"In giving great evidence at court or selling yourself well, how or the way you say it is as important, if not more so, than what you say." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
familycourtcoaching@gmail.com
Instagram: michael240656
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.

Selling Yourself

This episode delves into the importance and intricacies of creating a chronological list of events in a child's life. Michael emphasises the significance of a well-constructed chronology in providing a clear understanding of a family's history and dynamics. The episode discusses the role of a social worker in highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of parenting, using the chronology as a tool to support evidence and arguments. It also explores how different perspectives and biases can influence the interpretation of events documented in a chronology. The episode underscores the impact of past experiences on an individual's present behaviour and identity, emphasising the need to consider significant events such as trauma, loss, and violence in family life. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Chronologies are crucial: Chronologies are essential documents that provide a clear picture of a family's history and can help in understanding the events that have occurred over time.


Balanced view is important: It is important to provide a balanced view in a chronology, highlighting both the weaknesses and strengths of parenting to give a fair representation of the situation.


Impact of past events: Chronologies help in understanding how past events and experiences shape an individual's present and future, emphasising the significance of events like births, deaths, and illnesses.


Significance of violent incidents: Violent incidents between adults, especially when witnessed by children, should be carefully documented in a chronology to understand their impact and the response of parents.


Importance of social care response: A good chronology not only focuses on the actions of parents but also highlights the behaviour of social care agencies and their impact on the child's lived experience.

BEST MOMENTS

"A chronology can be defined as a sequential list of events with dates recording any significant facts and changes in a child's life." 

"History, for example, is written from the focus of the values and beliefs of the person who wrote it." 

"Chronologies are really useful tools in helping to look at a child's lived experience because they can show what a child has been exposed to dating as far back into their life as their first few weeks of life." 

"Many people still today tend to think of the past as not having any impact on who they are now." 

"One of the things that chronology is very useful at bringing to light is the response by social care." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

familycourtcoaching@gmail.com

Instagram: michael240656

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.

This episode delves into the importance and intricacies of creating a chronological list of events in a child's life. Michael emphasises the significance of a well-constructed chronology in providing a clear understanding of a family's history and dynamics. The episode discusses the role of a social worker in highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of parenting, using the chronology as a tool to support evidence and arguments. It also explores how different perspectives and biases can influence the interpretation of events documented in a chronology. The episode underscores the impact of past experiences on an individual's present behaviour and identity, emphasising the need to consider significant events such as trauma, loss, and violence in family life. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
<ul>
<li>
Chronologies are crucial: Chronologies are essential documents that provide a clear picture of a family's history and can help in understanding the events that have occurred over time.
</li>
<li>
Balanced view is important: It is important to provide a balanced view in a chronology, highlighting both the weaknesses and strengths of parenting to give a fair representation of the situation.
</li>
<li>
Impact of past events: Chronologies help in understanding how past events and experiences shape an individual's present and future, emphasising the significance of events like births, deaths, and illnesses.
</li>
<li>
Significance of violent incidents: Violent incidents between adults, especially when witnessed by children, should be carefully documented in a chronology to understand their impact and the response of parents.
</li>
<li>
Importance of social care response: A good chronology not only focuses on the actions of parents but also highlights the behaviour of social care agencies and their impact on the child's lived experience.
</li>
</ul>
BEST MOMENTS
"A chronology can be defined as a sequential list of events with dates recording any significant facts and changes in a child's life." 
"History, for example, is written from the focus of the values and beliefs of the person who wrote it." 
"Chronologies are really useful tools in helping to look at a child's lived experience because they can show what a child has been exposed to dating as far back into their life as their first few weeks of life." 
"Many people still today tend to think of the past as not having any impact on who they are now." 
"One of the things that chronology is very useful at bringing to light is the response by social care." 
VALUABLE RESOURCES
familycourtcoaching@gmail.com
Instagram: michael240656
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.

The Role Played By Racism

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