This book challenges the ideologies and policies that presently shape child welfare services. It argues that caring for children is work of the highest priority. Neglect, the authors argue, should no longer be a reason for investigating and apprehending children, and the entire resources of child wefare agencies should be devoted to assisting and supporting parents. Further, they propose that child abuse be reclassified as a criminal offence and handled by the criminal justice system. Finally the book suggests that community ownership of child welfare is important in order to provide an opportunity for social learning.

The late Brian Wharf was Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work and Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria. During his career at the university he was Director, School of Social Work, Dean, Faculty of Human and Social Development, Professor in a multi- disciplinary graduate program and Acting Director, School of Public Administration. He was the author/editor of numerous books, including Connecting Policy and Practice in the Human Services with Brad McKenzie.

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