THE FAVORED CHILD

This case conference concerns a child who has been in care following a diagnosis of emotional abuse and a serious incident of physical abuse . She wants to return home again, and her parents, who had previously scapegoated her, now blame the family's previous ills on her sister in stead. The Children Act 1989 gives considerable weight to the child's wishes, but what if the child returns home and is re-abused? In this c ase conference a child psychiatrist, a philosopher and a lawyer discus s the issues of clinicians' responsibilities, moral luck, and child ca re law.