It is now widely acknowledged that the most vulnerable and at risk children are children whom the current systems of education, care and health (especially mental health) are failing. The problem of dealing with 'at risk' children is also a problem of definition as one service provider s definition might often reflect an entirely different social reality from another's. Bringing years of collaborative expertise across many disciplines to the problem, the authors of How to Reach 'Hard to Reach' Children demonstrate how it is possible for all children to meet the following criteria of staying safe, enjoying and achieving, being healthy, making a positive contribution, and economic well-being.

Kathryn Anne Pomerantz, UK. Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist, Derbyshire County Council Educational Psychology Service seconded to the post of ­Co-Course Director MSc Educational Psychology and Doctor of Educational Psychology, The University of Sheffield. Chartered Educational Psychologist. Member of the EdD Educational Psychology Course Sheffield University.

Martin Hughes, UK.  Senior Educational Psychologist, Sheffield City Council. Chartered Educational Psychologist.  Member of the EdD Educational Psychology Course, Sheffield University.

Dr David Thompson, UK.  Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology, Co-Director EdD Educational Psychology, School of Education, University of Sheffield. Chartered Educational Psychologist. British Psychological Society (Associate Fellow)