Liability for and Accuracy of Submissions: A contribution is accepted on the strict understanding that its author is responsible for the accuracy of all information contained in it and that references to named people and/or organisations are both accurate and without libellous implications. It will be the responsibility of contributors to gain permission from relevant sources before submitting an article.

Submission of Papers: Submissions should be typed, double-spaced on A4 paper with pages numbered consecutively. The title page, on a separate sheet should contain:

Three copies of each typescript and all figures and tables should be submitted along with an electronic version of the article on disk. Acceptable software packages are Word for Windows; Word Perfect; and Microsoft Works WP Windows. The final version of the hard copy and the file on disk must be the same. The Editors reserve the right to refuse any manuscript submitted and to make suggestions and modifications before publication.

Books, etc. for review can be sent to the editorial address or to Cohn Reid, Public Policy Advisor, NSPCC, Jennymount Court, North Derby Street, Belfast 8115 3HN or to Mary McColgan, Lecturer, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Londonderry 8147.

‘Letters to the Editor’ are also welcomed at the editorial address.

Acknowledgement and Assessment of Submissions: All submissions are acknowledged immediately and papers then undergo a peer review process. On the basis of the referees’ response, papers will either be rejected, accepted subject to revision, or accepted unconditionally. On acceptance, the Editor retains the right to make necessary stylistic changes and decide on the date of publication (generally within three to six months of acceptance).

References: References should be carefully checked as the Editors cannot take responsibility for errors.

References Within the Text Itself: In the text, the surname of authors should be cited followed by the date of publication; e.g. (Brown and Blue, 1995). Where there are three or more authors, the first author’s name is followed by et al.; e.g. (Yellow et al., 1996). If an author is quoted verbatim, page references should follow author and date within the parentheses, e.g. (White and Black, 1994, p. 35). Where there is more than one reference cited all should be in parentheses, e.g. (White and Black, 1994; Jones et al., 1996). Where an author is referred to in the text, the date of publication is put in parentheses, e.g. ‘For Hare-Mustin (1994), power exists in the dominant discourses of society’. Titles of books referred to in the text are in italics and may be shortened to the main title, e.g. Cycles of Disadvantage.

References Which Follow the Article: These references should be compiled in alphabetical order on a separate sheet. The reference should list, where applicable:

Author’s surname, initials (date of publication). Title of article/chapter. In names of editors, title of Journal or Book. Volume number or edition. Place of publication: Publisher.

Where the same author has several publications cited, use letters (a,b,c) to distinguish them. The main title of the publication should be in italics, the titles of articles/chapters in normal type. In the case of journals also include the volume, issue or edition and page numbers, in that order. Conclude with the place of publication and publisher.

Examples of references:

House style: Papers will be edited to conform with house styles with regard to spelling and presentation. Titles and subtitles should be in capitals and in bold, not underlined. For lower-level titles (sub-sections of sub-titles) these should be in title case and bold. Titles and acronyms should be given in full on first usage. Unnecessary capitalisation and underlining should be avoided. Initials and abbreviations should include full stops and all numbers under ten should be written in full. The words ‘per cent’ should be used rather than %. Papers should be no longer than 5000 words in length, although exceptions are made.

Proofs: Authors are sent one copy of the proofs of their paper, article or letter. Corrections should be confined to typographical errors or matters of accuracy. Extensive amendments are not acceptable at this late stage. Authors should return proofs as soon as possible, preferably within two days of receipt and no later than the date given in the covering letter.

Copyright: All material received by the Journal is assured to be submitted exclusively. It is understood that contributions have not and will not be published elsewhere, unless this has been expressly invited or agreed by the Editor. The author bears the responsibility for checking whether material submitted is subject to copyright or ownership rights; for example, in the use of tables and figures. If a submission is finally published, the copyright becomes that of Child Care in Practice and permission for any reproduction must be sought from the Editors.

Dual publication: If a submitted paper has been published elsewhere or is being considered for another publication, the author must inform the Editor.

THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN ABOVE ARE OFFERED AS GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS. EDITORIAL STAFF ARE PLEASED TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SUBMISSIONS.