This article discusses the effect that recent policy and legislation has had on services for children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural needs (SEBN), particularly "Looked After Children." The article highlights the Government's overarching plan to promote social inclusion and effective multi-agency collaboration and discusses the confusions arising from the use of "multi-agency" terminology. Two case studies of individual children then illustrate the manner in which collaborative working is either supportive of, or hinders, positive intervention. Finally the article discusses how general policy issues impact on practice with children with SEBN.