Like any publication that will form an important staple book for all child and adolescent mental health professionals and all specialist judges, barristers and solicitors in the Family Justice System, this guide for practitioners arose not in haste but after a series of informed and interlinked developments within both the Department of Health and the President's Interdisciplinary Committee. No better author could have emerged to produce a text that is evidence-based, readable and of value in everyday practice, well beyond the arena of family justice.

The layout of the book is such that it can be used by a wide range of professionals, who can go straight to selected chapters and summaries to meet the particular task of the reader at any point in the process of safely meeting the needs of vulnerable children.

The underlying principle is to help those who seek to communicate with children who may have had personally adverse or sensitive experiences. Central to this is the concept of communication as a two-way process being receptive through listening, hearing and conveying meaning much of the time through the manner and nature of our non-verbal responses.

The book is divided into two main parts. Part I provides overviews of those areas that are especially important for those communicating with children. Chapters 2–7 cover developmental considerations, erroneous concerns and cases, the child's psychological condition, diversity and difference, successful communication, and how concerns come to the attention of a wide range of professionals from across and between the jurisdictions of health, social care, education and justice. Part II goes on to tackle the key practice issues: first response, initial assessments, in-depth interviews, indirect and non-verbal approaches, and advice for parents and carers.

The Epilogue provides a framework from which to consider information, helping us all to adopt and maintain a systematic approach to this important field of work and to our future thinking and training developments.

The general principles of the ‘how to’ communicate with children is applicable beyond the legislative framework of England and Wales.

David Jones has given us a ‘must read practical’ resource book, to help us to undertake one of the most challenging tasks of our working lives, communicating with maltreated children.