This book provides an overview of the developments, at the time of writing, in extrafamilial childcare systems in 23 countries. The books emphasis is on residential care for children and young peoople. The book is practice oriented, reporting many original and innovative projects, but it also reviews the radical policy changes which were occurring at the time of writing in each country.The book is a companion volume to Residential Child Care: An international reader, also published by Whiting and Birch.