'Promoting children's wellbeing' examines the wide-ranging and growing number of policies and practices which are intended to contribute to children's wellbeing. Topics include the development of children's identities, the value of play in the lives of contemporary children, the promotion of children's health, risk and staying safe, and family law.

The contributors draw upon research and practice to analyse and examine the policies, services and practice skills needed for collaborative, effective and equitable work with children.

It will be important reading for students, practitioners and academics working in a wide range of children's services across the UK.

"Designed as a teaching text, this collection will amke an excellent resource for both students and practitioners." Bill Bell in Children and Young People Now

"We owe it to ourselves and our children to take this book, study it, debate, argue with it, but above all learn from it. This book allows us to consider the whole child and challenges us to communicate in a meaningful way so that the wellbeing of the child is secured. If you think that caring for a child is 'child's play', you may be nearer than you think to understanding and respecting the child's world." Glo Potter, foster carer

Janet Collins is a Senior Lecturer in the Open University's Faculty of Education and Language Studies. Her research focuses on the social, emotional and educational needs of children in primary schools.

Pam Foley is a Senior Lecturer in the Open University's Faculty of Health and Social Care. She researches and writes in the fields of children's health care policy and practice and children's emotional and social development