Edited by Jan Horwath and Dendy Platt

1. Introduction - Jan Horwath, University Of Sheffield, And Dendy Platt, University Of Bristol; 2. The Assessment Task - Jan Horwath; 3. The Assessment Process: Gathering Information - Jan Horwath; 4. The Assessment Process: Making Sense Of The Information, Analysis And Forming Judgements - Danielle Turney, University Of Bristol, And Dendy Platt; 5. Effective Communication With Children And Young People - Audrey Tait, Captains Road Social Work Centre, Edinburgh And Helen Wosu, University Of Edinburgh; 6. Open Door: Involving Pre-School Children - Ruth Marchant, Triangle, UK; 7. Engaging Parents In The Assessment Process - Danielle Turney And Gillian Ruch, University Of Sussex; 8. Multidisciplinary Participation In Assessment From Early Help To Child Protection - Julie Taylor, University Of Birmingham, Dawn Hodson, NSPCC, UK And Patrick Neil, Consultant, Oxford; 9. Assessing Parenting: Contemporary Perspectives On Parenting - Stan Houston, Queen's University Belfast; 10. Dimensions of Parenting - Liz Hadcroft, Consultant, Norfolk And David Jones, Oxford; 11. Assessing Parental Motivation And Ability To Change - Dendy Platt And Katie Riches; 12. The Impact Of Parenting Issues On Parenting Capacity - Michael Murphy And Michaela Rogers, University Of Salford; 13. Assessing Parents with Learning Difficulties - Beth Tarleton and Nadine Tilbury, University of Bristol; 14. Assessing The Developmental Needs Of The Child - Aideen Naughton, NHS Wales; 15. Assessing Health Needs - Jane Appleton, Oxford Brookes University and Karen Whittaker, University of Central Lancashire; 16. Assessing Educational Needs - Christine Gould And Barbara Lawrie, Yorkshire; 17. Emotional And Behavioural Development: The Importance Of Attachments - David And Yvonne Shemmings, University Of Kent; 18. Assessing Cumulative Harm In Cases Of Emotional Abuse And Neglect - Jan Horwath; 19. Assessing Possible Physical Abuse - Arnon Bentovim And Stephen Pizzey, The Child And Family Practice, London; 20. Assessing Possible Sexual Abuse In The Family - Arnon Bentovim, Stephen Pizzey And Jenny Gray; 21. Assessing Possible Child Sexual Exploitation And On-Line Abuse - Emilie Smeaton, Paradigm Research, York; 22. Assessing The Needs Of Asylum Seeking And Trafficked Children - Emma Palmer, University Of Lancaster; 23. Assessing The Needs Of Young People Who Sexually Abuse - Simon Hackett, University Of Durham; 24. Assessments Involving Young People With Complex Needs - Ruth Marchant; 25. Assessing The Needs Of Young Carers - Katherine Bishop, Research In Practice, Sheffield; 26. Identifying The Needs Of Young People Leaving Care - Emily Munro, University Of Bedfordshire; 27. Pre-Birth Assessments - Jane Barlow, University Of Warwick; 28. The Impact Of Poverty On Vulnerable Children And Families - Dave Backwith, Anglia Ruskin University; 29. Family And Community Support Needs For Vulnerable Families - Dave Backwith; 30. Working With Cultural & Religious Diversity - Claudia Bernard, Goldsmiths, University Of London; Contributor Bios; Index