ABSTRACT
Families are entitled to information about the social work process, the purpose of any intervention and their rights in relation to it; they may also benefit from a range of other information depending on the nature of their problems and how they themselves identify their needs. The development of sensitive and informed client-professional relationships is clearly an essential part of working in partnership with children and their families. However, with respect to fathers involved in child protection enquiries, such an aim can be difficult to achieve. Guidance on working in partnership with families involved in the child protection process emphasises the importance of involving fathers and father figures directly in the enquiries. The studies found that where both parents were invited to the whole or part of the child protection conference, the majority of the conferences were attended by mothers on their own. Parents of children in need frequently require help because of their own particular problems. This includes fathers.
