Well-publicised cases of child abuse have brought heavy media criticism of the social work role in prevention and child protection. This book attempts to bring a sense of perspective to allay the anxieties and fears felt by many social workers. The authors resist the idea that child abuse is a special 'disease' and develop a broad based strategy encompassing both individual therapy and environmental approaches.

'Cooper and Ball's short introduction to child abuse in the Practical Social Work Series is a remarkable achievement in that it provides local authority social workers and general social work students with a concise overview of issues related to working in child abuse.' - Issues in Social Work Education.

Introduction
Developments, Definitions and Reactions
Other Agencies and Child Abuse
Social Workers' Anxieties and Needs
Assessing Risk and Taking Risks
Social Workers as Investigators
Social Workers as Therapists
Strategies for Tomorrow
Appendix A: Glossary of Legal and Administrative Provisions
Appendix B: DHSS, Major Circulars and Guidelines
Bibliography
Index.