Originally published in 1980 when about a third of all British children found to be in need of statutory care were living at home ‘on trial’ with parents or relatives. Still under-researched today, little had yet been written about these children, so this book, based on a detailed study of a sample of such children and their families, was welcomed by all who worked in the field of child care. It is especially concerned with the arguments about the ‘least detrimental alternative’ for children at risk.

After a summary of the debate about how best to help such children and a survey of the relevant research, tape-recorded comments of parents and social workers are used to describe emotional, health and environmental problems of the families and the help offered at various stages. Comments and discussions are included about the legal and administrative procedures; the social workers’ use of authority, and the parents’ reactions to it; the process of decision making; and the problem of child placement. The book concludes with the author’s suggestions about how the service to such families could be improved.