Working together or pulling apart?: The National Health Service and child protection networks

In the context of the 'cross-cutting' policy ambitions of the current Labour government, Working together or pulling apart? examines the contribution of the NHS to the multi-agency and inter-professional child protection process. Applying the insights of policy network and inter-organisational analysis, the text:

provides detailed information on the current role played by a range of health professionals within child protection;

investigates the nature and operation of the central policy community and local provider networks;

considers the tensions arising from differences of professional power and knowledge, organisational cultures and agendas, and governance and regulation;

examines the impact of wider socio-political changes on the operation of the child protection process, at both central and local levels.

Working together or pulling apart? will be essential reading for all those working in child protection, at both strategic and frontline levels, within the NHS and other agencies. In addition, it will be of interest to staff and students on undergraduate or postgraduate courses in health, social work, public and social policy.

Carol Lupton is Director of the Social Services Research and Information Unit, University of Portsmouth.