A collaborative relationship between parents and professionals is essential for the success of support and protection interventions. However, fears, insecurities, feelings of guilt and shame on the part of parents as well as fears on the part of professionals, some of which are very similar to those of parents, can make communication and cooperation more difficult. To what extent do fears interfere with successful child protection? How can existing fears be reduced and a cooperative relationship established? And what role does the quality of communication play? Katharina Eggers explores these questions and uses interviews to show that fear can also be used constructively in a trusting relationship to initiate positive change.
