The welfare of children with mentally ill parents: Learning from inter-country comparisons looks at different approaches to supporting families in ten European countries and one state in Australia. These families have complex needs, and a wide range of agencies in mental health and social services may be involved. This can lead to problems of liaison and co-operation between different agencies and different disciplines.

A vivid picture of service provisions and the way in which legislation can operate in different countries emerges in the book. Professionals identified common problems and effective responses which were used to build a European model of good practice. This takes into account the nature of the difficulties facing families and the strengths and weaknesses of different national systems. The model is used a basis for analysing the particular problems of the English system and the authors suggest ways forward.

This important volume is essential reading for practitioners, managers, academics and students in the fields of social work, mental health and social policy. It is also a key source of reference for policy makers in mental health and social welfare, and for mental health and child welfare pressure groups.