This volume draws from moral philosophy, social policy, the humanities, sociology, systems theory, psycho-social studies and the authors' research on systems and the lived experiences of those involved with current child protection processes to challenge current directions in policy and practice. It challenges the child protection paradigm dominant in many countries and exposes its individualist and riskaverse focus. It argues for humane, family focused, neighbourhood based practices in order to offer a more socially just settlement for children and their families.