These essays are integrated and motivated by a common and powerful concern to understand the origins and outcomes of fractured relations which mark the experiences of some children in our society. Barbara Tizard, currently Emeritus Professor of Education, University of London, retired from the directorship of the Thomas Coram Research Unit in 1990.

This collection of essays celebrates and honours her contribution to research and policy, which focused on the ways in which children were disadvantaged educationally, emotionally and socially. Her research contributed to the reform of institutional care for children, to a revision of teachers' notions of children's competence and to a greater understanding of the complexities of children's identities.

Barbara Tizard's engagement in policy related research stemmed from a passionate but highly disciplined concern to provide a sound research basis for the judgements, decisions and practice of agencies as these shape children's lives.