This volume describes a myriad of policy, research and practice issues related to families of children with serious emotional disorders. It centres on families' direct and indirect roles in children's mental health services - for example, families can determine if and when the child enters treatment, and they can provide the context within which all therapeutic gains are played out. The contributors discuss: family-centred service delivery characteristics and strategies; society's role in strengthening the family and preventing emotional disorders in children and young people; supports for and barriers to parent-professional partnerships; the complexities of assessing family functioning; and culturally sensitive service delivery. Throughout the book, consideration is given to the complexity and diversity of families, and the resultant impact upon service delivery.