This ground-breaking text offers a comprehensive and penetrating account of how social developmental perspectives and attachment theory can illuminate practice in the field of child protection and family support. Drawing extensively throughout on fascinating case-study material, the text moves from an introduction to the key theories to a detailed outline of the main methods and processes. It offers a carefully developed and systematically tested practice and assessment model for professionals in this challenging and complex area and, as such, will be an invaluable resource for students and professionals alike.

David Howe OBE is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Introduction: Working with Children and Families
PART 1: THE THEORY BEHIND THE PRACTICE
Introduction
Understanding Attachment Theory
Measuring Attachment Patterns across the Lifespan
Secure and Autonomous Patterns
Avoidant, Defended and Dismissive Patterns
Ambivalent, Dependent and Preoccupied Patterns
Disorganised, Controlling and Unresolved Patterns
PART 2: APPLYING THE THEORY TO PRACTICE
Introduction
Gathering Information for Assessment
Analysing, Assessing and Classifying the Information
Formulating the Aims of Intervention
Introducing Protective Mechanisms and Processes
The Sites and Forms of Intervention
Conclusion
Bibliography
Author Index
Subject Index.