Although residential teams can be a source of strength, inspiration, and professional growth, there are potential challenges and risks. One risk is a loss of boundaries between staff members. Personal relationships, cliques, gossip, and mistrust are all too often features of residential teams. Children and youth are perceptive in detecting team dysfunction, discord, negativity, and dissatisfaction. The informality associated with residential work can also lead to the undermining of professional conduct. It is important that team members always measure the quality and effects of their interactions with one another by the professional standards of the best interests of the well-being and positive development of the residents. Some of the most important relationships child and youth workers develop are with other professionals who are outside of their particular professional care systems or who only have limited or infrequent contact with the children or youth in a professional capacity. Interactions with such professionals should occur within the framework of the role and discipline each professional represents. This must be based on a knowledge of and respect for the discipline represented and the important part the other professional and his/her discipline has in a child's or youth's treatment. This article discusses how power dynamics, relationships with other care systems, networking, and communication in the context of relationships with other professionals can help or hinder the services delivered to children and youth. 27 references