This key text covers the knowledge and skills that social workers need to get into practice with children and families. The book covers core components of child and family work such as building effective relationships, assessment, child protection practice and working with the law. It also features case studies, questions and exercises throughout.

Ian Butler is Professor of Social Work at Bath University and is currently a Special Advisor to the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government. He has published widely in the area of childcare practice and public policy, and is the co-author of Divorcing Children: Children's Experience of Their Parents' Divorce, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. He is a member of the Academy of Social Sciences. Caroline Hickman has a background in Social Work and Psychotherapy. She has most recently held teaching and academic posts at the University of East London and University of Plymouth and has worked in private practice as a Psychotherapist with children and adults for the last 18 years. She is currently based at the University of Bath where her particular interests are in child observation and the participation of children and young carers in social work education.

Acknowledgements. Preface to the third edition. Preface to the second edition. Introduction. How to Use this Book. Part 1. Developing Basic Knowledge and Skills. Unit 1. Children and Childhood. Unit 2. The Family. Unit 3. Parenting. Unit 4. Supporting. Unit 5. Looking After. Unit 6. Child Abuse. Part 2. Developing Specialist Knowledge and Skills. Unit 7. Assessing. Unit 8. Planning. Unit 9. Child Protection. Unit 10. Court Craft. References. Index.