This book provides an account of the experience of a multifaceted system-change programme to strengthen the capacity of Ireland's statutory child protection and welfare agency in the areas of prevention, early intervention and family support. Many jurisdictions globally are involved in system change processes focused on increasing investment in services that seek to prevent children's entry into child protection and welfare systems, through early intervention, greater support to families, and an increased emphasis on rights and participation. Based on a four-year in-depth study by a team of University-based researchers, this text adds to the emerging knowledge-base on developing, implementing and evaluating system change in child protection and welfare. Study methodological approaches were wide ranging and involved a number of key stakeholders including children, parents, social workers and social care workers, service managers, agency leaders and policy makers. Since the change process involved an agency-university partnership encompassing design, technical support and evaluation, the book also contributes to understandings of the potential and limits of such partnerships in the child protection and welfare field. Uniquely, the book gives voice to the experience of both agency personnel and academic in the accounts provided. It will be of interest to all scholars, students and practitioners in the areas of child protection and welfare.

Family support is an increasingly important strategic approach to welfare services for children and families. This invaluable resource for all professionals engaged in the development and delivery of these services is underpinned by reflective practice values and structured around four themes: * conceptual frameworks and vocabulary (defining) * policy and organisational structures and processing (planning) * tools for creative practice (doing) * approaches to evaluation (measuring). Contributors from around the world provide international perspectives on core issues in family support. These include the importance of community, the role of statutory and voluntary agencies, youth advocacy, culturally appropriate family support, child protection, disability services and effective means of evaluation. Providing a combination of clear theoretical frameworks and practical guidance, with clear 'how to' messages and a strong emphasis on evaluation, this book will be of interest to social workers, care staff, teachers, community development and police officers, students, policy-makers, evaluators and all those working in all areas of family support.

Through John Canavan's unique insights into the day-to-day office/work challenges that effect leaders and potential leaders alike you are given an opportunity to grasp the potential pitfalls of not managing and/or assessing situations correctly that may hinder your professional growth. Navigating these challenges is critical in your ability to approach for the benefit of your growth and fulfillment. In this new economy with generations X, Y - Millenniums, baby-boomers and up and coming Z generation all vying for their part... this requires a prospective and preparation for the competitive work challenges ahead for all. Managing and dealing with these challenges is critical to not only success, but fulfillment in that success.

Through John Canavan's unique insights into the day-to-day office/work challenges that effect leaders and potential leaders alike you are given an opportunity to grasp the potential pitfalls of not managing and/or assessing situations correctly that may hinder your professional growth. Navigating these challenges is critical in your ability to approach for the benefit of your growth and fulfillment. In this new economy with generations X, Y - Millenniums, baby-boomers and up and coming Z generation all vying for their part... this requires a prospective and preparation for the competitive work challenges ahead for all. Managing and dealing with these challenges is critical to not only success, but fulfillment in that success.

As you Navigate Your Professional Growth through these competitive times, It's imperative that you have a grasp and awareness of your professional growth direction. To do this you must have a strategic focus on that direction. What you concentrate on, where and what you focus your attention on, how you budget your time and resources is critical. Time is a perishable... waste it and you may find yourself set back professionally.FocuStrategy, it must be done.

As you Navigate Your Professional Growth through these competitive times, It's imperative that you have a grasp and awareness of your professional growth direction. To do this you must have a strategic focus on that direction. What you concentrate on, where and what you focus your attention on, how you budget your time and resources is critical. Time is a perishable... waste it and you may find yourself set back professionally.FocuStrategy, it must be done.

Understanding Family Support provides a definition of family support and a clear perspective on the role that it has in promoting the welfare of children and their families. Family support is a concept that has been used in a range of ways to describe various aspects of child welfare policy and practice. The authors argue that this weakens family support as an overarching child welfare paradigm. They present a unifying definition of family support along with ten principles and a series of reflective practice questions applicable to: legislation and policy; organisation, management and planning; direct work with children and families; and research and evaluation. This is an important resource for any professional engaged in policy development, service design, delivering or evaluation of family support, including social workers, residential care staff, community development workers, teachers, community police, human services managers, evaluators and policy makers.

The contributors to this topical volume explore the role of family support in promoting the welfare of children and their families. They show how children can be supported in the development of their full potential despite adverse experiences. Family support enables children to access the variety of resources available to them in the multiplicity of contexts in which they live.;This book integrates concepts and experiences from an international perspective, different levels of analysis (society, community and family) and different loci of intervention (education, social services and local government). Specific areas covered include: principles of family and social support; social networks and social change in the family and the community; reciprocal; support between families,schools and the community; restoring the balance of control between parents and children; supporting young people who misuse drugs.;"Family Support" presents current knowledge about family support and sets out directions for future developments in thinking and service provision. It shows how an understanding of the complexity and potential of family support can inform and enrich the work of educators, professio