Expert reports and court evidence in child protection — OSCE

Candidate brief

You are the paediatric registrar. You cared for a 5-month-old infant admitted with injuries consistent with inflicted harm. The matter is now in family-protection proceedings, and your consultant has been asked to prepare an expert report. The parents have asked to speak with someone about what the report is, what it will contain, and what it means for them. Your consultant has asked you to have the first conversation with the parents while they review the case file. ^{[2] [6]}

You have 8 minutes to explain to the parents what an expert report is, what it will and will not determine, what the duty to the court means, and what the process will involve — while maintaining an honest, non-accusatory and supportive relationship. ^[1]