This book 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 resources are all addressed. Mothers' views and experiences are contrasted with professional perspectives.
The publication of the child care inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbi has again emphasized the need for health and social care professionals to work collaboratively. The structure of both mental health services for adults and child care social work is based on a preoccupation with risk. However, this is increasingly being challenged by the policy thrusts towards community care in mental health services and prevention rather than protection in child care services following The Children's Act 1989. This book reports on research that examines inter-professional work with families in which mothers have a mental health problem and where there are also concerns about child protection. The authors argue that mental health and child care services need to be sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of these families and they put forward practical and new policy recommendations to help achieve this.
