DAVID HOWE OBE teaches and carries out research in the School of Social Work and Psychosocial Studies at The University of East Anglia, Norwich, where he is Professor of Social Work. He has longstanding practice and research interests in the fields of child maltreatment, family support and adoption.MARIAN BRANDON is Lecturer in Social Work and Director of Post Qualifying Studies at The University of East Anglia, Norwich. She worked as a social worker prior to taking up her university post.DIANA HININGS is Lecturer in Social Work at The University of East Anglia, Norwich. She has previously worked in children's services in both the UK and USA.GILLIAN SCHOFIELD is Lecturer in Psychosocial Studies at The University of East Anglia, Norwich. She is also Deputy Director of the Centre for Research on the Child and Family.

'The importance of this excellent book lies not just in its theoretical and practical value but for what it represents in terms of advancing a new paradigm in child and family social work.' - The British Journal of Social Work 'Overall, this is a timely publication which will help practitioners clarify and underpin their thinking in work with children and families. The book ought to be required reading for professionals undertaking initial professional training and has sufficient richness to make it a well-thumbed reference text for a range of professionals engaged in work with children and families.' - Jim Ennis, Child and Family Social Work 'The attempt to integrate theory into practice has culminated in this excellent book...recommend not just to those working in the field of child protection and family therapy, but also to those interested in promoting positive health and well-being for children and their carers.' - Kay French, Community Practitioner '...this excellent book...should be required reading for all professionals involved in childcare and protection. It deserves to have a significant impact on how child and family social work is taught, not least because of the case material, an all too rare commodity in the social work literature.' - Harry Ferguson, British Journal of Social Work 'At last, a book that translates contemporary attachment theory and research into a form suitable for application by child welfare practitioners! The culmination of the authors' two-year exploration with practitioners and team leaders, this impressive book presents a fine synthesis of theory and practice. The first of the book's two parts provides a highly readable, comprehensive, and up-to-date overview of attachment theory and research, illustrating the concepts with wonderfully authentic case vignettes. The second part applies theory to practice, and its sections on assessment and analysis are excellent... In a field where practice has become so procedure-dependent, this book is desperately needed by a broad range of professionals seeking to apply core attachment concept in their work with some of the most vulnerable children and families in our society.' - Dorothy Scott, Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health

• Introduction: Working with Children and FamiliesPART 1: THE THEORY BEHIND THE PRACTICEIntroductionUnderstanding Attachment TheoryMeasuring Attachment Patterns across the LifespanSecure and Autonomous PatternsAvoidant, Defended and Dismissive PatternsAmbivalent, Dependent and Preoccupied PatternsDisorganised, Controlling and Unresolved PatternsPART 2: APPLYING THE THEORY TO PRACTICEIntroductionGathering Information for AssessmentAnalysing, Assessing and Classifying the InformationFormulating the Aims of InterventionIntroducing Protective Mechanisms and ProcessesThe Sites and Forms of InterventionConclusionBibliographyAuthor IndexSubject Index.