Children, their families and the law : working with the Children Act

`a very good book indeed...of great assistance to the busy practitioner, from whatever discipline...His account of the background to the present legislation governing contact with children in care is the most comprehensive I have read'. - Adoption and Fostering. `An authoritative and well-balanced text on the Children Act 1989. It will be of considerable assistance to students and practitioners in the social work and legal professions'- Peter Coysh, Social Policy and Administration. The Children Act has radically changed the daily work of all concerned with the welfare of children. This book, written by a foremost legal authority who has a sensitive understanding of the practices of social workers involved, is the only one to consider the Law, the Guidance issued by the Government, the Regulations and the problems likely to be experienced in daily practice. Social workers and lawyers too will find the book an invaluable guide to the complexities of the new legal framework. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Reforming Children’s Law: History and Ideology....Pages 1-9 Principles, Parents and Partnership....Pages 10-28 The Courts’ Powers in Family Proceedings....Pages 29-48 Family Support....Pages 49-92 The Public Care System — I....Pages 93-119 The Public Care System — II....Pages 120-147 The Public Care System — III....Pages 148-172 Protecting Children at Risk....Pages 173-197 The Legal Regulation of Substitute Care....Pages 198-224 Adoption Issues....Pages 225-232 Children with Disabilities....Pages 233-244 Courts, Reports and Evidence....Pages 245-254 Back Matter....Pages 255-261 Considers the law with regard to the 1989 Children Act, the guidance issued by the government, the regulations and the problems likely to be experienced in daily practice. Social workers and lawyers will use the book as a guide to the complexities of the new legal framework.