Introduction

This book is an attempt to get beyond the blaming stance so often adopted when children known to statutory agencies die at the hands of their caretakers. An atmosphere of blame and criticism always surrounds the public inquiries set up to investigate the deaths and becomes encapsulated in the judgemental tones of the final reports. This book tries to make sense of events which culminated in the tragic deaths and to understand more about the behaviour of the families and the professional workers. We hope that it will make some contribution to future professional practice.