THE HOSPITAL IS OFTEN THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF INTERVENTION IN THAT IT IS LESS THREATENING FOR PARENTS TO PRESENT THEIR CHILD TO THE IMPERSONAL CASUALTY DEPARTMENT SETTING WITH A 24-HOUR SERVICE AVAILABILITY; IN ADDITION, THESE FAMILIES ARE OFTEN ISOLATED WITH NO SUPPORTIVE FAMILY DOCTOR OR HEALTH VISITOR CONTACTS. AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, ANY CHILD SUSPECTED OF BEING ABUSED IS ADMITTED. THIS PROCEDURE ACHIEVES TEMPORARY REMOVAL OF THE CHILD FROM A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION, REMOVAL OF THE IMMEDIATE PRESSURE ON THE PARENTS, AND TIME FOR THE INTERVENTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS. A PEDIATRIC CONSULTANT AND MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER CONFRONT THE PARENTS HONESTLY IN THE INITIAL INTERVIEW. THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE PARENTS TO MAKE A CONFESSION, ALLOWING THEM TO PERCEIVE THE HOSPITAL AS A CARING, TREATMENT-ORIENTED INSTITUTION RATHER THAN A PUNITIVE, AGGRESSIVE ONE. LATER, A CASE CONFERENCE IS CONVENED BETWEEN THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND THE REST OF THE WORKERS INVOLVED WITH THE FAMILY. A DECISION IS MADE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE FAMILY AND WHO SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY WORKER WITH THE FAMILY. THE DIFFICULTIES FOR AND DEMANDS ON THE PRIMARY WORKER ARE DESCRIBED. THE OPTIONS OF CHILD REMOVAL BY COURT ORDER, EITHER THROUGH THE POLICE OR THE LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ARE DISCUSSED. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE PRIMARY WORKER'S ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRUST RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARENTS. A CASE EXAMPLE IS PRESENTED. THE PAPER NOTES THAT THE HOSPITAL MAINTAINS A LIST OF FAMILIES 'AT RISK' OF CHILD ABUSE. (RBS)