Why would an apparently caring, competent mother attempt to kill her three young children? This is one of the conundrums in the first novel facing the newly created Spinningdales team. Despite conflict and jeopardy, its members must ultimately unite to protect ‘at risk’ children.

Each new year, throughout the late 1970s and the 1980s, the Spinningdales team have to face professional and personal dilemmas and dangers. The stakes could not be higher because failure can result in the death of a child, as well as professional annihilation. Undermining them are antagonistic outsiders who believe that ‘elite’ teams should deliver perfection or should not exist at all. And yet all humans are fallible. The team encounter clashes and controversies plus personal dramas: memories of having been abused; domestic violence; crumbling of close relationships; racism, serious illness; death. Despite these challenges, they have to summon the courage and resilience to continue to protect the most vulnerable.  

“Each new year, throughout the late 1970s and the 1980s, the Spinningdales team have to face professional and personal dilemmas and dangers.”

Meet the team:
‍Barbara, the indomitable yet judgemental Team Leader.

Her key team members are:
‍Sue, sensuous yet full of common sense;
Bert, good-humoured yet facing the challenges of being Black in 1970s Britain;
Jessica, ABBA fan, charismatic yet remarkedly vulnerable;
Sam, self-confident yet failing to see the fragility of his own ‘perfect’ family.

Supporting them are:
‍ Jean, eccentric Register Administrator; Debbie, enigmatic senior secretary; Pam, self-effacing, perceptive junior secretary.

Advising them are:
John and Alistair, Consultant paediatricians; Helena, Consultant psychiatrist; Diana, GP; Judith, psychologist; Hugo, solicitor.