This reader provides a critical and comprehensive account of the theoretical and practical issues raised in working with children and families. It draws on debates from a range of disciplines to shed light on different perspectives, forms of practice and dimensions of policy. Its strong applied focus allows it to address a rich variety of issues of concern to professionals working with children in a range of settings. The contributing authors consist of leading academics in the field as well as those with first-hand knowledge and experience; all write in a clear and engaging style.

List of Contributors
Children in Society: Contemporary Theory, Policy and Practice; P.Foley, J.Roche and S.Tucker
SECTION 1: CONTEMPORARY CHILDHOODS
The Development of Child Health and Welfare Services in England (1900-1948); P.Foley
The Changing Experiences of Childhood; M.Robb
Constructing Childhood, Constructing Child Concern; W.Stainton Rogers
The Demonization of Children: From the Symbolic to the Institutional; B.Goldson
Racism: An Important Factor in Practice with Ethnic Minority Children and Families; K.Owusu-Bempah
Childcare Policy; M.Roberts
Towards a 'Children's Policy' for the European Union?; S.Ruxton
SECTION 2: QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN
Quality of Life for Children; J.Roche
Children's Welfare and Children's Rights; G.Lansdown
'Our Bodies, Ourselves'? Mothers, Children and Health Care at Home; P.Foley
Listening to Children; N.Thomas
Community Development A Strategy for Empowerment; S.Tucker
SECTION 3:CONCEPTUAL AND PRACTICE FRAMEWORKS
Working Towards Consensus: Children's Hearings in Scotland; A.Griffiths
Parental Responsibility; L-A.Cull
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children; C.Humphreys
Primary Education in Scotland; D.Christie
Children, Sexual Abuse and the Child Protection System; L.Green
Foster Families; D.BerridgeExternal Influences on Workplace Competence: Improving Services to Children and Families; R.Flynn
An Ecological Perspective on Child Abuse; G.Jack
SECTION 4: WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Children's Health at School; B.Mayall
Theories of Child Development; W.Stainton Rogers
Working with Disabled Children; R.Marchant
Involving Children and Families in Decision-Making About Health; C.Thurston and J.Church
Men Working in Childcare; M.Robb
Perspectives on Parenting; D.Brown
Developing Partnership Practice; J.Pinkerton
References.

PAM FOLEY is Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University. Her research interests include child health and discourses of child birth.
JEREMY ROCHE is Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University. He has written on children's rights and is co-editor of Youth in Society, The Changing Experiences of Youth (both Sage 1997) and The Law and Social Work (Macmillan 2000).
STANLEY TUCKER is Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University. He has written on the impact of social policy on the lives of children and young people and is co-editor of Youth in Society and The Changing Experiences of Youth (both Sage 1997).