This book is about working with vulnerable parents so that we might prevent child abuse and neglect and enhance the well-being of our children.

Who are ‘vulnerable families’? In this book, when we refer to families we are talking about children and the adults who care for them, be they mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers or other extended family members. If we are honest, all parents will acknowledge times when they have felt very vulnerable and their feelings of vulnerability have impacted upon family life. The birth of a child is a joyous event but brings with it a time of significant change and disruption to families as well as the need for adjustment which some parents may find overwhelming. Parents can also experience vulnerability when facing natural disasters such as fire or flood; stressful life events such as marital breakdown; the illness or death of a family member or friend; the loss of a job or eviction and so on. Life challenges such as these can over-whelm a family's ability to cope, but for some, it may also provide opportunities for growth and positive change.

All families differ in their ability to manage difficult challenges and have different internal and external resources to draw upon.