THE DANGERS INHERENT TO A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE IN THE CONDUCT OF CARING SOCIAL WORK ARE STRESSED. LOCAL AUTHORITY HAS STATUTORY DUTIES TO ACT IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE FOUND. A BALANCE MUST BE STRUCK, HOWEVER, BETWEEN THE EXERCISE OF THESE DUTIES AND RIGHTS AND THE STRENGTHENING OF THE FAMILY IN NEED OF HELP. BEFORE ENGLAND'S CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT OF 1963, THE EMPHASIS WAS ON PROTECTION OF THE CHILD; NOW IT IS UPON PRESERVING THE FAMILY. THE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY HAS ALSO INCREASED THE DIFFICULTY OF DEALING WITH BATTERING FAMILIES. RECOGNITION OF THE BATTERED CHILD IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. IN ORDER TO MAKE SAFE DECISIONS, IT IS FUNDAMENTAL THAT THE FAMILY BE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED, INCLUDING THE CRUCIAL DETERMINATION OF WHETHER GOOD PARENTING IS POSSIBLE. THE POWERS OF AND CONSTRAINTS ON LOCAL AUTHORITY AND ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FIELD OF CHILD CARE ARE DISCUSSED. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CHILD CARE SERVICE, INCORPORATING PREVENTIVE AND PROTECTIVE TREATMENT, CARE AND REHABILITATIVE FUNCTIONS FOR ALL CHILDREN IN TROUBLE, HAS GROWN RAPIDLY. SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED REGARDING THE NEED FOR A CENTRAL REGISTER OF FAMILIES WHERE ABUSE HAS OR IS EXPECTED TO HAVE OCCURRED. CHILD PROTECTION MAY VARY FROM PERMANENT REMOVAL TO ASSIGNMENT TO THERAPEUTIC FAMILY UNITS, EITHER DAY OR RESIDENTIAL. THESE PROGRAMS MAY LAST UNTIL THE CHILD HAS REACHED THE AGE OF MAJORITY. ONLY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY HAS THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE NECESSARY HELP. (RBS)