Standards of practice are described in this book which pertain to the care of children whose needs cannot be met in their own families or in foster families and who can benefit by the experiences and help that residential services can offer them and their families. The term "residential" as used here refers to group care only. Standards presented were developed with the help of a technical committee having expert knowledge about the provision of residential care. These guidelines have been critically reviewed by agencies with residential services, state departments of welfare, other organizations interested in this kind of care for children, and the Child Welfare League of America's board and staff. Designed so that readers can easily obtain needed information, the book includes a table of contents which provides a rapid review of the general areas covered. These areas include (1) the residential center as a child welfare service, (2) total services for children and parents, (3) the program for care, (4) education for children in a residential center, (5) child care in a residential center, (6) social work in a residential center, (7) group work in a residential center, (8) plant and equipment, (9) organization and administration of a residential center, and (10) community planning and organization of a residential center. (RH)