Brigid Daniel is Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling. She is the co-author of numerous books on child care and protection including The Early Years, The School Years, and Adolescence, co-authored with Sally Wassell; Engaging with Fathers, co-authored with Julie Taylor; and Child Neglect, co-edited with Julie Taylor, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Sally Wassell is an independent consultant and trainer in child care and an associate lecturer at Dundee University. Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin and associate director of the Children's Research Centre. He has written extensively on child care and foster care.

Acknowledgements. Foreword. David Howe, University of East Anglia, UK.; 1. Framework for understanding child development.; 2. Developing relationships.; 3. Parenting and care-giving.; 4. Resilience and vulnerability.; 5. Protective factors and adversity.; 6. Early years.; 7. School years.; 8. Adolescence.; 9. Stress and support in the lives of children facing adversity. References. Index.