Child Protection and Mental Health Services : Interprofessional Responses to the Needs of Mothers

Health and social care professionals are constantly exhorted to work collaboratively. This book reports on research which examines interprofessional work with families in which mothers have a mental health problem and where there are also concerns about child protection.

Breakdowns in interprofessional collaboration, issues of risk and relevant resources are all addressed. Mothers' views and experiences are contrasted with professional perspectives.

Child protection and mental health services:

· reports on a survey of 500 practitioners working in health, social services and the voluntary sector;

· presents data from in-depth interviews with mothers with severe mental health problems;

· identifies weaknesses in interprofessional coordination in this area of work;

· suggests a new model for work with families where mental health problems and child protection concerns co-exist.

All those involved in child protection or mental health work with families will find this book a stimulating read. This book will be of interest to practitioners, managers and policy makers as well as students studying health and social care.

Nicky Stanley is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Bridget Penhale is a Lecturer in Social Work, both at the University of Hull. Dr Denise Riordan is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist based at the Fleming Nuffield Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne. Professor Rosaline S. Barbour is Chair of Health and Social Care at the University of Dundee. Sue Holden is a Research Associate at the Institute of Learning, University of Hull.