ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the terms to be used and provide an overview of the reasons why collaborative working is an essential part of the service needed by vulnerable children and their families. It describes the different approaches to service delivery. It ends with an overview of developments in interprofessional education for those working in this field. The book focuses specifically on child protection. Olive Stevenson and Marian Charles were commissioned in 1986 to develop training materials for interprofessional work in child protection. The importance of professional judgement in dealing with the risk and uncertainty of child protection situations means that training must be a core consideration. Child Protection Committees in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are also required to provide and monitor interprofessional training.
