ABSTRACT
Any family referred for the first time to their local Child Development Centre is likely to meet a confusing variety of professionals. Each will have their own questions, their own models of working, their own theoretical frameworks and their own assessment tools. Even with the very best of intentions and the highest quality of professional training and expertise, there is bound to be confusion and overlap in the eyes of the parents, at least in those first days of hypotheses and planning. Even with the most informative preparatory leaflets, and the clearest of introductions, this is going to be a difficult and potentially threatening time for the parents, and our best endeavours to achieve ‘partnership’ are at risk.
