This practical book looks at the experiences of children in need who live in state care and the social worker's role in working with them. This is a popular guide to this complex and demanding area of practice. There are chapters on communication and children's rights, life story work, attachment and culture, ethnicity and faith. Throughout the book there are sections on supporting legislation and policy for children in residential care, foster care, adoption and leaving care.

Key features include:

• Practical links between theory and practice
• Includes law and policy relevant to looked-after children
• Information on understanding statistics
• Contains lots of practical activities