There are many challenges facing children and their families today. Supporting children, young people and families requires informed, dedicated and educated professionals who are able to understand the social, economic, political and cultural context in which we work, so that we can respond appropriately to these challenges.Grounded in social justice, this course prepares our students for roles as senior practitioners and policy makers by offering them the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the issues impacting upon families at a local, national and international level. We do this by drawing from professional expertise, social theory and the wealth of experiences brought to us by our students.