For students and practitioners in children's and adult services in the UK, Horwath (child welfare, U. of Sheffield, UK) compiles 22 chapters in a guide to assessing children with various needs as well as their families. Contributors from the UK who work in psychology, social work, child welfare, and other fields discuss assessment challenges, recent research, and policy and practice developments in terms of the assessment process, the developmental needs of children, parenting capacity and issues, and cultural and socioeconomic factors. They also discuss inter-agency practice, establishing relationships, communicating with children, supervising assessments, children with complex needs, sexual and substance abuse, learning disabilities, mental health issues, domestic violence, diversity, and poverty. This edition has been updated in response to developments since the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families was introduced in the UK, and it addresses the Framework and recent legislation and how it has been adopted in other countries. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)