Children in need is the first comprehensive and accessible handbook to set out the law on local authority support for vulnerable children and families with particular focus on Part 3 of the Children Act 1989. It sets out the current law with specific analysis of the public law duties which require local authorities and their partners to act to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need in the context of their families, and looks at emerging areas of law. Children in need is essential reading for lawyers - including both local authority lawyers and lawyers acting for children and families - social workers; care co-ordinators; local authority and PCT commissioners and managers; voluntary sector professionals; central government officials; families and their advisers and advocates.