About the Book
This text examines late-1990s evidence of which methods are the most successful forms of intervention when working with children and their families. It covers a wide range of approaches and services, with particular emphasis on methods designed to help children with identified problems. After discussing the principles, designs and debates associated with ideas of effectiveness and evidence, the text evaluates 1990s practice in child and family work, including: early years provision, family mediation, child and adolescent psychiatry, treatment for children who have been sexually abused, and work with foster children and their families.
Table of Contents:
1. Effective Professional Intervention in Children's Lives, Malcolm Hill, University of Glasgow. 2. Working with Families in the Early Years, Helen Roberts, Barnados and Geraldine Macdonald, University of Bristol. 3. Working with Social Networks, Robbie Gilligan, Trinity College, Dublin. 4. Community Work with Children, Paul Henderson, Community Development Foundation. 5. Social Learning and Behavioural Approaches to Work with Children and Families, David Gough, London University. 6. Family Mediation Involving Children, Margaret Robinson, Family Mediator, Winchester. 7. Family Therapy, Arlene Vetere, University of Reading. 8. Educational Services for Children with Emotional or Behavioural Difficulties, Gwynnedd Lloyd and Pamela Munn, Institute of Education, Edinburgh. 9. Youth Work: Young People and Transitions to Adulthood, Simon Bradford, Brunel University. 10. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, Joanne Barton, University of Glasgow. 11. Treatment Issues in Child Sexual Abuse, Kathleen Murray, University of Glasgow. 12. Work with Fostered Children and their Families, David Berridge, University of Luton. 13. Work with Children in Residential Care and their Families, Roger Bullock, Dartington Social Research Unit. 14. Towards Effective Ways of Working with Children and their Families, Malcolm Hill, University of Glasgow. Index.
About the Author :
Malcolm Hill is Professor of Social Work and Director of the Centre for the Child and Society, University of Glasgow. He edited Social Work and the European Community and was co-editor with Jane Aldgate of Child Welfare Services, published by Jessica Kingsley. He recently co-authored the book Middle Childhood and has co-edited Residential Child Care.
Review :
This is not a dry academic research methodology textbook... With the range of interactions between the individual and the environment that are described in this ambitious book, it is remarkable that strong themes emerge successfully about ways of working with children and families... This book is a timely review, complementing current governmental guidelines on family assessment (DOH, 2000), and is essential reading for those who wish to inform their judgement, policy and practice.
Effective ways…sets out to inform and hopefully encourage those concerned with the well-being of children, young people and their families. It is a book, like many of Malcolm Hill's editions and publications, that does well to stimulate thought and educate both in breadth and depth of material.
This is an impressive book, bringing together many different findings and data. I recommend it for all professionals working with children, families and hte larger system.'
This book, aimed primarily at those in social and community work, examines the latest evidence about the "most successful forms of intervention when working with children and their families". It covers areas such as; Social Learning, Family Therapy, Educational Services for Children with Emotional or Learning Disabilities and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services. Very detailed and full of in-depth studies, it also includes up-to-date research on this crucial subject. The backgrounds of the contributors include psychology, social work, psychiatry, education and family mediation.
The reviewer found this book to be valuable, particularly for students and practitioners who want concise overviews of some of the major areas of intervention in children's lives. While many of the contributiors could not go into enormous depth, nonetheless the various chapters do signpost very important issues and reference major studies which should guide best practice... If readers take the time to look at less familiar areas they will not be disappointed. If this occurs the volume can truly be said to have been effective in deepening the reader's knowledge of and respect for other practitioners and their clients.
