First Published in 2002. It is easy to see that we are living in a time of rapid and radical social change. It is much less easy to grasp the fact that such change will inevitably affect the nature of those disciplines that both reflect our society and help to shape it. Yet this is nowhere more apparent than in the central field of what may, in general terms, be called literary studies. 'New Accents' is intended as a positive response to the initiative offered by such a situation. Each volume in the series will seek to encourage rather than resist the process of change. To stretch rather than reinforce the boundaries that currently define literature and its academic study.

This text develops key topics in social work and social policy relating to exclusion, social divisions and control in welfare. It provides theoretical tools for students, academics and professionals whose work involves them in supporting the political agency of excluded groups. At a time when there have been profound shifts in the organization of welfare and the underpinning theories of the associated professions, the book tackles issues such as: the move away from publicly funded welfare; the loss of a public service ethic; reduction of input from professionals in policy; loss of professional skills; and the increase in bureaucracy. The book aims to open up the debate in social justice and anti-oppressive practice.

This text develops key topics in social work and social policy relating to exclusion, social divisions and control in welfare. It provides theoretical tools for students, academics and professionals whose work involves them in supporting the political agency of excluded groups. At a time when there have been profound shifts in the organization of welfare and the underpinning theories of the associated professions, the book tackles issues such as: the move away from publicly funded welfare; the loss of a public service ethic; reduction of input from professionals in policy; loss of professional skills; and the increase in bureaucracy. The book aims to open up the debate in social justice and anti-oppressive practice.

Young People and the Struggle for Participation rethinks dominant concepts and meanings of participation by exploring what young people do in public spaces and what these spaces mean to them, individually and collectively. This book discusses how different spaces and places structure and are in turn structured by young peoples' activities. Drawing on findings from a comparative study in eight European cities, insights into different styles of youth participation emerging from formal, non-formal and informal settings are presented. The book provides a comparative analysis of how transnational discourses, national welfare states and local youth policies affect youth participation. It also investigates how it comes about that young people get involved in different forms of participation in the course of their biographies. This book will appeal to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of youth studies, community studies, sociology of education, political science, social work, psychology and anthropology.

This fully revised and expanded edition of Janet Batsleer's (1996) Working with Girls and Young Women in Community Settings provides a significantly updated text, incorporating new research, which will serve practitioners and academics well into the twenty-first century. Youth work with girls and young women has taken inspiration from feminisms and THE women's movement, focussing on the strength and potential of girls as beings in their own right, rather than as carriers of social problems. Autonomous community-based projects of can affirm young women's lives and creativity and seek to challenge oppression. Addressing the significant shifts in the social, political and professional context for informal education, this book makes clear the continuities in community-based informal education with girls and argues for its continuing importance. The impact of neo-liberal approaches to empowerment is highlighted throughout. Drawing together historical, theoretical and practice-based work, including case studies from a range of projects, Batsleer offers an analysis of the significant issues that will affect practice in the future and the significance of feminist inspired informal education rooted in specific community contexts. These include: The impact of violence, coercion and resistance, across a range of practices Female sexuality as a contested space The impact of poverty and the creation of networks of care and mutual support Difference and cross-cultural work, including inter-faith work and practice which challenges racism. This is an important source book for youth workers, social workers, and others involved in education outside of school as well as researchers in the practice and politics of youth work. It is an essential reference tool for researchers, as well as for both lecturers and students involved in the education and continuing professional development of youth and community workers and for those who wish to keep alive a radical alternative

Anchored in accounts of young people's personal experiences of loneliness, this book addresses important questions about tackling today's epidemic of loneliness among young people. It explores experiences of loneliness in early life, how it is navigated when first encountered and considers how social conditions of poverty, precarity, inequality and competitive pressures to succeed can dramatically influence these feelings. Presenting diverse and nuanced social accounts of loneliness, the authors explore ways to harness the creative and positive potential of loneliness and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and young people to help tackle the crisis.

Reshaping Youth Participation reframes discussions around youth political, social, civic, and cultural participation. Drawing upon insights on democracy and citizenship, self-organising and protest movements, and arts activism as engaged social activism, the chapters consider the youth participation spaces in which young people find voice and action-spaces that are part of existing forms of participation, and newly emergent spaces that challenge existing systems. Set in Manchester, Reshaping Youth Participation contextualises youth participation in a major UK city known for its activism and regional devolution, alongside studies from partner European cities. Exploring the participation of young people in 'adult spaces', of young people who are pursuing a new politics and ideological change, of marginalised young people, and of young people utilising the creative arts as a 'lived politics', the authors argue that youth participation provides a vital addition to sustaining and developing political, social, and democratic life in cities. Celebrating youth participation and its myriad forms, triumphs, and challenges, this edited collection provides much needed innovative thinking to the study of youth participation. It is an important contribution for young people themselves, academics, policymakers, local policy experts and makers, local activists, and community advocates.

Anchored in accounts of young people's personal experiences of loneliness, this book addresses important questions about tackling today's epidemic of loneliness among young people. It explores experiences of loneliness in early life, how it is navigated when first encountered and considers how social conditions of poverty, precarity, inequality and competitive pressures to succeed can dramatically influence these feelings. Presenting diverse and nuanced social accounts of loneliness, the authors explore ways to harness the creative and positive potential of loneliness and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and young people to help tackle the crisis.

First Published in 2002. It is easy to see that we are living in a time of rapid and radical social change. It is much less easy to grasp the fact that such change will inevitably affect the nature of those disciplines that both reflect our society and help to shape it. Yet this is nowhere more apparent than in the central field of what may, in general terms, be called literary studies. 'New Accents' is intended as a positive response to the initiative offered by such a situation. Each volume in the series will seek to encourage rather than resist the process of change. To stretch rather than reinforce the boundaries that currently define literature and its academic study.

This fully revised and expanded edition of Janet Batsleer's (1996) Working with Girls and Young Women in Community Settings provides a significantly updated text, incorporating new research, which will serve practitioners and academics well into the twenty-first century. Youth work with girls and young women has taken inspiration from feminisms and THE women's movement, focussing on the strength and potential of girls as beings in their own right, rather than as carriers of social problems. Autonomous community-based projects of can affirm young women's lives and creativity and seek to challenge oppression. Addressing the significant shifts in the social, political and professional context for informal education, this book makes clear the continuities in community-based informal education with girls and argues for its continuing importance. The impact of neo-liberal approaches to empowerment is highlighted throughout. Drawing together historical, theoretical and practice-based work, including case studies from a range of projects, Batsleer offers an analysis of the significant issues that will affect practice in the future and the significance of feminist inspired informal education rooted in specific community contexts. These include: The impact of violence, coercion and resistance, across a range of practices Female sexuality as a contested space The impact of poverty and the creation of networks of care and mutual support Difference and cross-cultural work, including inter-faith work and practice which challenges racism. This is an important source book for youth workers, social workers, and others involved in education outside of school as well as researchers in the practice and politics of youth work. It is an essential reference tool for researchers, as well as for both lecturers and students involved in the education and continuing professional development of youth and community workers and for those who wish to keep alive a radical alternative

Young People and the Struggle for Participation rethinks dominant concepts and meanings of participation by exploring what young people do in public spaces and what these spaces mean to them, individually and collectively. This book discusses how different spaces and places structure and are in turn structured by young peoples' activities. Drawing on findings from a comparative study in eight European cities, insights into different styles of youth participation emerging from formal, non-formal and informal settings are presented. The book provides a comparative analysis of how transnational discourses, national welfare states and local youth policies affect youth participation. It also investigates how it comes about that young people get involved in different forms of participation in the course of their biographies. This book will appeal to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of youth studies, community studies, sociology of education, political science, social work, psychology and anthropology.

Informal Learning in Youth Work offers fresh perspectives on all aspects of informal education in the youth work setting. Designed to develop the reader's knowledge and skills, this comprehensive textbook explores key issues such as communication, power relations, ethics, gender exclusion, sexuality, race discrimination and social class. The author places particular emphasis on conversation as a key means of promoting informal learning and engaging effectively with young people. Other key features include: " case studies that illustrate the application of theory to `real-life' practice " an emphasis on critical reflection, including reflective questions " an easily accessible style, with key terms and tips for further reading " a four-part structure guiding the reader through different stages of conversations and relationships in informal education. Informal Learning in Youth Work provides a unique combination of theoretical analysis and practice tips. Satisfying training and course requirements in the area, it will be essential reading for all students on youth and community work courses, as well as those in allied fields such as education and social work. It will also be a valuable reference for practitioners working with young people on a daily basis.

Informal Learning in Youth Work offers fresh perspectives on all aspects of informal education in the youth work setting. Designed to develop the reader's knowledge and skills, this comprehensive textbook explores key issues such as communication, power relations, ethics, gender exclusion, sexuality, race discrimination and social class. The author places particular emphasis on conversation as a key means of promoting informal learning and engaging effectively with young people. Other key features include: " case studies that illustrate the application of theory to `real-life' practice " an emphasis on critical reflection, including reflective questions " an easily accessible style, with key terms and tips for further reading " a four-part structure guiding the reader through different stages of conversations and relationships in informal education. Informal Learning in Youth Work provides a unique combination of theoretical analysis and practice tips. Satisfying training and course requirements in the area, it will be essential reading for all students on youth and community work courses, as well as those in allied fields such as education and social work. It will also be a valuable reference for practitioners working with young people on a daily basis.

With the proposed development of the 'youth professional' and the consolidation of graduate professional qualifications, this is an important time for youth work. This book sets out the current state of debate about youth work for those considering, or about to embark on, a degree course. Contemporary debates in youth work are explored, and help to give students a sense of its history and its future contribution. By combining the experience of its editors and the contemporaneous experience of the voices of contributors, this book provides an excellent introduction to work as a youth worker in the twenty-first century.