Important reforms are taking place in children's services in the UK, with a move towards greater integration. In England, Scotland and Sweden, early childhood education and care, childcare for older children, and schools are now the responsibility of education departments. This book is the first to examine, cross-nationally, this major shift in policy. work best, which welfare states are most effective and the future role of schools; examines why and how the three countries have integrated departmental responsibility for these major children's services and explores the very different consequences; through cross-national comparison, it offers new perspectives on the integration of children's services and the different ways in which it can be taken forward; addresses changing understandings of the child and childhood in each country; provides an invaluable understanding of current and possible future changes, including choices to be made about policy, provision and the workforce. implemented, this book is essential reading for practitioners, managers, politicians, trainers and researchers in children's services, including schools, early years, school-age childcare, leisure and recreation, child welfare and health.