Values and their application are a continuing area of concern for those involved in work with children and families. This book provides a means of understanding models of social welfare and children's services, and relating these to the challenges of practice. Key debates about values in children's services are identified and examined, in their legislative, policy and practice contexts. The text develops a range of approaches to practice, utilizing case examples to illustrate the challenges, and to help practitioners with the task of reconciling competing expectations in their work with children.

ROGER SMITH is Lecturer and Programme Director in the School of Social Work at the University of Leicester. His research interests include youth offending, childcare, social inclusion, child poverty and user participation.