Published in 1998, the aim of this book is to identify and explore key themes and issues around the realm of welfare practice in child and family social work - that is, family centre services and related community-based types of provision. The text addresses the impact and effectiveness of family centres in supporting children, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on community based supportive/preventive family services and those that provide a closed access and therapeutic service aimed at families referred by social workers where children are at risk of abuse. Throughout, the focus is on best practice exemplified by research findings of family centre impacts and outcomes in the UK, the USA and Hong Kong.