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This paper looks at some of the difficulties that practitioners face when developing intervention programs for children who have experienced abuse or family violence. It argues that different intervention strategies have developed in Australia, the USA and Britain for children who have been physically abused and for children who have been sexually abused or who have experienced family violence, and that these strategies reflect the different ways in which these problems were identified rather than being based on rigorous evaluative methodologies that identify what is actually effective in intervening in children's lives.

A small project explored how occasional daycare assisted families perceived by referring agents as needing relief from the pressures of constant child care. The results suggested that 'common sense' was confirmed and the underlying practice wisdom behind referrals for relief daycare was validated. Respite daycare does assist families with preschool children by acting as a 'circuit-breaker', reducing tension and giving breathing space for both parents and children.

This article examines the assumptions linking stress and the lack of social support to the need for relief child daycare. The literature reviewed finds support for the view that such daycare can be a useful preventative intervention. It is a valid option to consider among the range of family supports, given accelerating rates of child abuse reports.

Child abuse allegations in the context of parental separation and divorce have long been seen as merely weapons fashioned by angry and vindictive parents involved in separation and divorce wars. They have been disregarded on the basis that they were unlikely to be real.However recent research from Australia and overseas has shown that this picture is not true. Child abuse in this context is real and it is serious. Moreover the research has shown that the socio-legal system does not serve children caught in this situation at all well.The Magellan program, a world first experimental program to overcome the problems for these children and their families as they progress through the socio-legal system, was introduced by a consortium of agencies in Victoria recently. This article reports on the program and its outcomes, and considers implications of some of the components of the new program for the various professionals working with this issue.

Child abuse allegations in custody and access disputes are serious matters and present family courts worldwide with major problems. This article reports a large research study just completed that investigated the way the Family Court of Australia managed child abuse cases. The study showed that such cases had become a substantial part of the court's current workload, their "core business" in fact. The families involved had many difficulties, including a history of family violence, and the present system was not appropriate for their particular problems. Thus, as new specialized court lead model of intervention was devised, based on principles relevant to family violence and incorporating the most effective strategies identified in the research.

Government initiatives in many countries emphasise social inclusion in higher education, resulting in a more diverse student population. This presents opportunities and challenges for academic and professional staff in managing and supporting these students. Managing and Supporting Student Diversity in Higher Education focuses on how students succeed amidst a culture of widening participation. The book is divided into seven chapters. The first introduces current literature and policies to present an international perspective on widening participation in higher education. The following five cha