This revised edition details organisational systems and structures that are part of the assessment and planning process for looked after children. This is closely interwoven with discussions about their emotional development, educational, health and cultural needs and how these needs can be met through social work and a range of other services. The views of looked after children are highlighted through case studies and summaries of research findings, and the range of skills and knowledge necessary to support looked after children through the key events they experience, including loss, change and the development of new relationships, are explained and illustrated.

This book is a guide to understanding the important issue of stigma - `associated disadvantage' - which affects not only those who are excluded from society, but also family members and friends. Social Work and Disadvantage explains the impact of stigmatization on siblings, families and workers in the caring professions and its consequences for the people it affects and for society as a whole. Contributors provide evidence from research and professional practice on transferability of health and social problems in, for example, dementia care patients, drug users and looked after children. Providing key messages for practice, they outline a range of protection measures to reduce the risk of stigma and victimization. Social Work and Disadvantage provides valuable advice and guidance for social work and health care practitioners, educators and students.

The Care Matters White Paper (Cm. 7137, 2007, ISBN 9780101713726) and the resultant Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (ISBN 9780105423089) showed the priority the Government has put on improving outcomes for looked-after children. But the Committee cautions that success will not flow automatically from new legislation or guidance. Previous programmes of substantial reform and investment have left outcomes for looked-after children still lagging unacceptably far behind those for other children. Inconsistency in practice and underperformance against current standards show that there are significant underlying challenges to implementation of the new raft of measures. The report examines the crucial elements of: relationships - stable reliable bonds with key individuals are fundamental to children's security and development; placements - are in short supply and local authorities need more support to increase availability; the performance framework - the quality of decision-making, of relationships, and of children's experiences of care. Three themes run through the Committee's conclusions. First is the importance of a well-trained, fairly paid, well-supported workforce in delivering the care. Secondly is how local authorities can come to approximate more closely the care of birth parents. Thirdly, there is the voice of the child and more independent support is needed for children to express their views. The care system should not be seen as a sanction against failing parents, nor blight children's future prospects. Care must be an integral part of a continuum of effective family support services for families under stress and not functioning well. Parents should expect that children in care will have stability and personalised attention rather than a life ruled by uncertainty and bureaucracy and will have access to all the health and therapeutic care that they need to enjoy life and develop into independent adults.

'Education Studies' is an essential text for Education Studies students. It provides a critical account of key issues in education today. Themed sections with introductions link the issues discussed in each chapter.

An invaluable resource for all social workers in practice with children and families, this book examines key issues such as child protection, family support, care planning, adoption and case preparation for court. With illustrative case studies throughout, the text is divided into two sections: " Part 1 explores the legal context of social work practice with children, examining how international human rights standards are absorbed within domestic law. " Part 2 explores the application of the law, policies and systems to individual case work, illustrating rights-based thinking in practice. Accessible to those without a background in law, the book highlights links between social work standards and legal values and rules. With promotion of the rights of children and families a measure of professional competence and legal obligation, the book helps readers satisfy social work standards and use their knowledge of the law to improve their practice. The book is vital reading for all levels of social work student, including those undertaking the post-qualifying award in child care, as well as being an indispensable resource for practitioners working with children and families. Jane Williams is a lecturer in law at the University of Swansea. She specialises in social work law, and children′s rights. Other publications include Children and Citizenship (SAGE, 2007), co-edited with Antonella Invernizzi.

Since the key developments that policy and research have undergone over the course of the past years, meeting the specific needs of looked after children is a priority for modern social work policy and practice. This comprehensive text combines an accessible overview of statutory policy and legislation with analysis of core theories and interventions to provide a guide for effective practice with children in all care settings by: - Covering legislation as well as research-based analysis of the key interventions and practice methods in the field - Meeting market needs: students and practitioners struggle with the dearth of specific material on looked after children - this text supports them in a core component of social work study and practice - Consolidating learning through its use of reflective questions, case studies, exercises and research analysis This book offers an accessible overview of the care context in Britain and is essential reading for students and practitioners wishing to develop effective practice within childcare.

It is essential that social work students have a clear grasp of the history and the evolution of social work practice and this classic text explores the fundamental questions: What is social work? How has social work been defined over the years? What does social work look like now? And what is to come?