Teenage drinking is a major social concern. Using data from a major UK birth cohort study this book examines both the early childhood predictors of underage drinking and the longer-term adult consequences. Around 10% of 16-year-old teenagers were classified as hazardous drinkers. Hazardous drinking was more common amongst boys, and was associated with higher rates of drug use, and violent offending. The main childhood predictors of hazardous teenage drinking included antisocial behaviour, high extroversion and maternal drinking in pregnancy. Depression, anxiety and socio-economic status were not associated with increased alcohol consumption. Adolescent drinking predicted adult drinking after controlling for a wide range of other predictors. Likewise, the relationship between maternal drinking (both during pregnancy and in the child's teenage years) predicted adult drinking. There was no evidence that emotional problems were associated with higher levels of adult drinking. This analysis has major implications for the design and development of alcohol prevention programmes, and should be especially useful to professionals working with teenagers across a wide variety of settings.

For centuries, societies have relied upon residential care settings to provide homes for children, and for much of that period a debate has raged over whether such settings are appropriate places for children to be raised. In recent years this debate has taken on an international dimension as human rights policies have called into question the legitimacy of residential care of children. Unfortunately, the ideological fervor that usually accompanies such discussions prevents a more nuanced understanding of the reasons that countries continue to make use of residential care.
Residential Care of Children: Comparative Perspectives fills major gaps in knowledge about residential care and is intended to inform debates within and between nations about the appropriate use of such institutions. Eleven country-specific chapters, written by child welfare experts from around the world, provide an in-depth understanding of the historical development of residential care, the current state of affairs, and predictions for the future. Chapters describe how residential care is defined in each country, how it has evolved over time, factors that have contributed to the observed pattern of development of residential care, and potential concerns for the future. An integrative chapter presents a critical cross-national perspective, identifying common themes and analyzing underlying factors. Seeking to explain rather than cast judgment, Residential Care of Children: Comparative Perspectives will be fruitful reading for policymakers, program administrators, advocates, practitioners, and scholars interested in creating better services for vulnerable children and youth.

Child Welfare Policy and Practice - Issues and Lessons Emerging from Current Research explores the implications of recent research for all those concerned with child welfare and social work. It addresses the present concerns as expressed by Government bodies and central Government enquiries regarding the services and policies relating to children in need of care and attention. The book deals with social care issues that are common within the UK as well as covering specific aspects of Scottish and Irish child welfare. The current areas of concern covered by the contributors include: the development of children's service plans operationalisation of recent child care legislation management of the transition of young people with disabilities from childhood to adulthood use of live video links with child witnesses. The book also discusses the results of a long term, follow-up study of twenty years duration of failure-to-thrive children. In conclusion the book puts forward recommendations for influencing future policy and practice in child care. It is essential reading for social work students, social work policy-makers, day care and social workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers and psychologists.