First published in 1999, this volume is a collection of essays focused on the theme of partnership with parents in social work practice with children and families.

Judith Masson is Professor of Law at the University of Warwick. She was a co-director of the 'working in partnership with "lost" parents' project. She has specialized in sodolegal studies of children, families and social work, conducting research into step-parent adoption, wardship and the representation of children in care proceedings, and working on the Department of Health's implementation programme for the Children Act 1989. She is currently undertaking research on emergency intervention to protect children. Christine Harrison is currently a lecturer in social policy and social work at the University of Warwick, where she teaches on qualifying and post-qualifying social work programmes. She has extensive previous experience as a social worker and guardian ad litem and is consultant to staff in a hostel for women offenders. Her current research interests include assessment in child care and child protection, feminist perspectives in social work and young people in the care system. Annie Pavlovic graduated in sociology from the University of Warwick. She has wide experience as a researcher in sodolegal and sodai workrelated projeds, particularly on the probation service, the adoption contad register and relationships between siblings. Between 1993 and 1996, she was a full-time research fellow on the "lost" parents' project. She has lectured in sodai policy and is currently a ledurer in sociology at Nene University College, Northampton.

1. Recreation and Promotion of Partnership through Action Research. Christine Harrison and Judith Masson. 2. Legal Issues: Partnership with Parents and Children's Rights. Judith Masson. 3. Working in Partnership with Parents of Children Being Looked After: Issues of Theory, Research and Practice. June Thoburn. 4. Young People, Being in Care and Identity. Christine Harrison. 5. Partnership with Parents of Children in Foster Care or Residential Care. David Berridge. 6. Rebuilding Partnerships with Parents of Looked-After Children. Judith Masson and Christine Harrison. 7. Partnership and Leaving Care. Nina Biehal. 8. The Experience of Making Contact with Birth Parents in Adoption. Alan Burnell. 9. Partnership and Contact: Issues for Management. Brian Waller. 10. Searching for Lost Parents. Annie Pavlovic.