ABSTRACT
This important new book critically examines the complex policy and practice issues surrounding child protection, including the impact of theoretical orientations, contemporary debates, policy initiatives and research findings, and maintains an emphasis on the ethics and values underpinning child welfare interventions.
The book introduces policies that are central to understanding the position and needs of children and young people, and how policy and practice have been influenced by developments including the children’s rights agenda. It also explores the most significant issues in child welfare. These include: the experience of maltreatment by children, the systems of child protection to safeguard them, the methods and challenges of risk assessment, and the wide range of policy and therapeutic interventions to respond to children’s needs. The book also examines family support to promote children’s wellbeing before considering provision for children and young people who are looked after in out-of-home care. There is also a final section that focuses on best practice in communicating and working with children and young people, drawing on participatory, rights-oriented and resilience-based approaches, and supporting foster and adoptive carers and biological parents.
Contributing in a substantive and clear manner to a growing international conversation about the present function and future directions for child welfare in contemporary societies, this textbook will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate social work students and those from allied disciplines, and professionals who are engaged in child welfare services.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|64 pages
The context of child and family welfare
chapter Chapter 2|25 pages
Theoretical and value frameworks underpinning work with children and families
part 2|84 pages
Child abuse and neglect
chapter Chapter 8|15 pages
Therapeutic approaches to children and families in child protection contexts
part 3|120 pages
The protective care continuum
chapter Chapter 9|12 pages
Prevention and early intervention with children, young people, and families
chapter Chapter 13|14 pages
Educational interventions that improve the attainment and progress of children in out-of-home care
part 4|63 pages
Children, parents and carers as stakeholders