Presenting the stories of individuals form all levels of the social and legal systems, including service users, judges, therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, social policy academics and parents, this text, concerned with ethical practice, represents and unites academic, professional and personal perspectives. Topics covered include: accountability and confidentiality; system abuse in psychiatric medicine, child protection and child care work; community poverty action; children's rights; use of information technology in family law disputes. The book contains background material, a review of current research, case studies and useful addresses, and lays guidelines for future policy. It should be of relevance for social care academics, policy makers and professionals seeking to refine their practice to understand the invisible and prejudicial structures and processes which govern their work.