First published in 1998, this book sets out to shed sociological light upon the much under-researched realm of day-to-day child care practice. The text broke new ground when first published in 1987 and there have been few, if any, similar books that adopt an ethnographic approach to statutory child care practice. A second edition would still 'speak' to this rarely analysed occupational world. However, it would enjoy greater resonance when up-dated with practitioner viewpoints on the extent to which the findings remain pertinent today - which is likely to be the case. The book offers no conclusions other than it demonstrates that the 'invisible' world of practice cannot be readily understood or changed unless grasped through an interactionist sociology. The book is aimed at a social work/social welfare market as well as a sociology of profession/organization readership.

Published in 1998, the aim of this book is to identify and explore key themes and issues around the realm of welfare practice in child and family social work - that is, family centre services and related community-based types of provision. The text addresses the impact and effectiveness of family centres in supporting children, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on community based supportive/preventive family services and those that provide a closed access and therapeutic service aimed at families referred by social workers where children are at risk of abuse. Throughout, the focus is on best practice exemplified by research findings of family centre impacts and outcomes in the UK, the USA and Hong Kong.

Published in 1998, the aim of this book is to identify and explore key themes and issues around the realm of welfare practice in child and family social work - that is, family centre services and related community-based types of provision. The text addresses the impact and effectiveness of family centres in supporting children, families and communities. Emphasis is placed on community based supportive/preventive family services and those that provide a closed access and therapeutic service aimed at families referred by social workers where children are at risk of abuse. Throughout, the focus is on best practice exemplified by research findings of family centre impacts and outcomes in the UK, the USA and Hong Kong.

First published in 1998, this book sets out to shed sociological light upon the much under-researched realm of day-to-day child care practice. The text broke new ground when first published in 1987 and there have been few, if any, similar books that adopt an ethnographic approach to statutory child care practice. A second edition would still 'speak' to this rarely analysed occupational world. However, it would enjoy greater resonance when up-dated with practitioner viewpoints on the extent to which the findings remain pertinent today - which is likely to be the case. The book offers no conclusions other than it demonstrates that the 'invisible' world of practice cannot be readily understood or changed unless grasped through an interactionist sociology. The book is aimed at a social work/social welfare market as well as a sociology of profession/organization readership.

The creation of the National Assembly for Wales and Scottish Parliament has altered the democratic landscape of the UK. In assuming many policy and adminstraitve responsiblities previously held by the central government, the Welsh assembly promises innovation in governance and there are high expectations that devolution will bring about significant changes in Welsh life. "New Governance - New Democracy?" questions whether these expectations are likely to be fulfiled. Drawing on interviews with many of the people who have influenced the devolution experiment, from poltitions to ordinary citizens, this book offers interdisciplinary discussion and analysis of issues ranging from electorial turnout, participation and legitimacy to the involvement of marginalized groups in the process of government. It also examines the developing relationship between the new Welsh legislature and the voluntary sector, the governance of economic development and the regulation and political control of public agencies in Wales.

Maintaining a balance between managing and assessing risk and upholding the required high standards of practice in health and social care can be demanding, particularly in the current climate of increased preoccupation with the difficult tensions between rights, protection and risk-taking. Good Practice in Assessing Risk is a comprehensive guide to good practice for those working with risk, covering a wide variety of health, social care and criminal justice settings including child protection, mental health, work with sex offenders and work with victims of domestic violence. The contributors discuss a range of key issues relating to risk including positive risk-taking, collaborating with victims and practitioners in the design of assessment tools, resilience to risk, and defensibility. The book also explores the role of bureaucracy in hindering high quality professional practice, complex decision-making in situations of stress or potential blame, and involving service users in assessment. This book reflects the latest policy and practice within health, social care and criminal justice and will be an invaluable volume to all professionals working in these fields.

The Integrated Children's System (ICS) is part of the British government's long term program to improve outcomes and life chances for children. The ICS is an inter-agency framework designed to hold information about children and enable easy reference, communication and shared access between different elements of children's services. The ICS was developed to support effective practice with children and families and improve decision making and planning for children in need. The system provides a more structured and systematic approach by integrating the processes of working with children in need from the point of first contact through to the final review. This book outlines what the ICS is, how it works and how to ensure that it is implemented effectively. Drawing on the findings of several pilot projects, this book will be a valuable source of guidance for those using and implementing the database, policymakers and social care managers.

Andy Pithouse and Alyson Rees use original research to identify key ingredients needed to help create successful foster placements and help prevent placement breakdown. Studying the lives and activities of 10 foster families who provide lasting and effective care, the authors explore the families' everyday worlds. They look at the negotiations, activities, settings, meanings, rituals and relationships which help to create their successful placements. The authors identify the main components which, according to the carers and the children, contribute to acceptance, belonging and stability in the family. The book examines the emotional and practical work involved in caring, and explores how it is received and reciprocated by fostered young people. With important insights into child and carer perspectives on fostering, this book is a source of invaluable information for foster carers, children's service professionals, and trainees and care staff who may be engaged with children who are looked after.