In September 1977 the Clwyd Area Review Committee published a manual of guidelines for dealing with suspected cases of child abuse. In prevention, the role of the hospital social worker is more intensive than that of the community worker, particularly with the unborn child, the very young baby, and the handicapped child. Once information has been received from an agency about a possible case of abuse, the area social services officer follows a specified procedure as shown in a flow chart. The Wrexham Hospital Child Development Center (CDC) opened in 1973 as a multidisciplinary diagnostic unit. CDC practice in addressing child abuse has been based on recognition of early warning signs of child abuse in a family and provision of appropriate help. Key principles involved in CDC treatment of high-risk families are outlined. A pilot scheme explored possible abuse in the perinatal stage and established an information network to identify cases for possible intervention and support during the perinatal period. Case studies and eight references are included.