Members of eight inter-professional teams working in different areas of children's services discussed their thoughts on three types of inter-professional dilemmas. Participants described resolutions to dilemmas in terms of the construction and pursuit of joint goals. However, emergent themes included identity, power, territory and expertise. These arise from professionals' everyday roles and activities and can directly influence construction and pursuit of joint goals. Successful collaboration, therefore, may entail some degree of professional self-sacrifice in these areas.