Abstract Th i s article discusses professional discretion i n relation to placing a child out side the family , as u nderstood by Malawian social w orkers. Th e a rticle is a product of an expl orator y stu dy coverin g differen t aspects of soci al work practice with chil dren an d families in Malawi. I t is based on focu s group discussions with practicing social wor kers th at were conduct ed usin g a vign ette. T his article descri bes h ow so cial w orkers han d le chil d protection cases, in w hich a ch ild has to be pl aced outside th e home or family . The article point s out d ifferen t sol ut ions and th e reason ing behind certain decisio ns on placing chil dren outside th ei r home. Th e study expl ores issues of patriarch y , i nt erv enti o n meth o ds i nt o fam ilies and th e cooperation between social workers, commun ity members and oth er professionals wh en hel ping families. Th e study foun d that a n u mb...