This book analyses the types of and possibilities for care in social work with families in situations where evidence-based programmes, standardised forms of risk-assessment and intervention, performance management and incentives to increase cost-effectiveness take precedence.

Offering a new framework for understanding and exploring theories and practices of care in social work with families, it is structured into

• A comprehensive introduction to care theory and its relevance for social work. This includes critical reflections on "the missing link" between care theory and social work theory and the need for care theory in research on and social work with families.

• A new framework for understanding core elements, dimensions and dilemmas of care in social work. This is based in theory and international research and is illustrated with exemplary "thick" ethnographic cases of statutory social work, homebased social work and family treatment.

• Suggestions for enabling social change of the conditions for and practices of care in social work with families.

By allowing critical reflection on this topic, this book will be of interest to all scholars, students and academics of social work and other professions dealing with child protection.