Guest Editor
Margaret Fawcett
Independent Social Worker, UK

Internationally, considerable advances have been made in understanding the effects of parental separation and divorce on children and the circumstances that lessen or exacerbate these effects. However, the extent to which research has informed the development of systems and services designed to ameliorate these effects is limited. This Special Edition of Child Care in Practice puts the spotlight on a number of areas where both practioners and policy makers face recognised challenges in getting it right for children when parents are separating. Findings are presented from a range of studies in different jurisdictions (Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Australia) on children’s rights, court decision-making processes, the role of social workers in representing children’s needs, rights, wishes and views , model(s) of alternative dispute resolution, and family support intervention. These findings provide important insights into policy/practice issues which need addressed , and also highlight an emerging consensus regarding a framework for a new and more child-centred model of practice in private law.