Originally published in 1987, Malcolm Hill examines the different ways in which parents share responsibility for looking after their pre-school children with other people, whether members of their social networks, formal groups or paid carers. He also looks at the reasons parents give for choosing and changing their particular arrangements. In this way he provides insights into a range of ideas which ordinary members of the public have about children's needs; the rights and responsibilities of mothers and fathers; and how children think and feel. Marked differences are described in the social relationships of families and in notions about who is acceptable as a substitute carer for children, in what circumstances and for what purpose. Several of these contrasts are linked to attitudes and life-conditions which are affected by social class. The book identifies possible consequences for individual children's social adaptability resulting from these patterns of care. It suggests that people working with the under-fives could profit from adapting their activities and services to children's previous experiences of shared care and families' differing expectations about groups for children.

"Children's Services: Working Together" brings together contributions from a number of authors in the field. The book covers policy, theory, research and practice relevant to students and professionals working with children in a wide range of roles. The emphasis on working collaboratively with other professionals, where appropriate, and the holistic approach to children make this a valuable resource to anyone working with children today.

This text provides a comprehensive overview of the issues, research and debates relating to children and the experience of childhood in late 20th-century Britain. It addresses such key issues as child poverty, juvenile crime, child protection and childrens' rights and their implications for the development of policy and the provision of services for children. A key feature of the book is its examination of the changing nature of childhood, both in terms of adult and child expectations and perceptions. In addition, the book provides a synthesis of recent empirical research, theory and policy and presents first-hand accounts from children and parents.

Provides a comprehensive overview of the issues, research and debates relating to children and the experience of childhood in late twentieth century Britain. This volume will address key issues such as juvenile crime, poverty, child protection and children's rights and their implications for the development of policy and services for children. Presents first hand accounts from children and parents.

Childrens Services: Working Together brings together contributions from a number of authors in the field. The book covers policy, theory, research and practice relevant to students and professionals working with children in a wide range of roles. The emphasis on working collaboratively with other professionals, where appropriate, and the holistic approach to children make this a valuable resource to anyone working with children today.

This book asks how far and in what way social inclusion policies are meeting the needs and rights of children and young people. Leading authors write from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines including social policy, education, geography and sociology. The book critically examines the concepts of participation and social inclusion and their links with children and childhoods and considers the geography of social inclusion and exclusion. It explores young people's own conceptualisations of social inclusion and exclusion; and examines how these concepts have been expressed in policy at various levels. The book concludes with an agenda for progressing participation and social inclusion, both for and with children and young people. "Children, young people and social inclusion" will be of interest to academics, students and policy makers, as well as to a wide range of practitioners including teachers, youth workers, participation workers and those working in interagency settings.

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.

The period of childhood which falls between the early years and adolescence is one which many parents perceive as crucial and anxiety-provoking, but is a comparatively neglected area of study. As a child reaches middle childhood, relationships within the family have to be adjusted to accommodate the child's growing independence and sexual development, and his or her attitudes to these changes. While children are less worried about this period of their lives than their parents, they too may suffer from insecurities and have needs that they feel are overlooked or minimised by adults. This book draws on interviews and group discussions with parents and children of primary-school age, conducted during two qualitative studies. It examines how children perceive their social environs; what they want from their parents; how aware they are of their rights. These are contrasted with their parents' views of the same subjects and different styles of parenting. Children's attitudes to risks such as bullying or taking drugs often diverge startlingly from those of their parents. In its combination of viewpoints, set against a background of related research, law, policy and practice, this book offers a rich and challenging study of an important period of the child's development.

The period of childhood which falls between the early years and adolescence is one which many parents perceive as crucial and anxiety-provoking, but is a comparatively neglected area of study. As a child reaches middle childhood, relationships within the family have to be adjusted to accommodate the child's growing independence and sexual development, and his or her attitudes to these changes. While children are less worried about this period of their lives than their parents, they too may suffer from insecurities and have needs that they feel are overlooked or minimised by adults. This book draws on interviews and group discussions with parents and children of primary-school age, conducted during two qualitative studies. It examines how children perceive their social environs; what they want from their parents; how aware they are of their rights. These are contrasted with their parents' views of the same subjects and different styles of parenting. Children's attitudes to risks such as bullying or taking drugs often diverge startlingly from those of their parents. In its combination of viewpoints, set against a background of related research, law, policy and practice, this book offers a rich and challenging study of an important period of the child's development.

Children have a much higher chance of permanently leaving care if they have strong family and peer group links outside their care home. Reflecting current political and policy priorities, Residential Child Care focuses on new developments designed to promote these family and network relationships. The book examines both care policies and individual schemes which involve families and other network members in the planning and care of children looked after in residential units or children's homes. The book provides guidelines on how to broaden the focus of residential care from staff-children relationships within the institution to more diffuse social networks of family and peers and outlines the principles which underpin the new emphasis on external social contacts.

Including examples of innovatory ideas and good practice from abroad, Residential Child Care shows why encouraging families to maintain an active role in the welfare of their children in care is so important, and explores the implications for child welfare systems as well as individual establishments, managers and practitioners.

Effective Ways of Working with Children and their Families examines the latest evidence about the most successful forms of intervention when working with children and their families. The book covers a wide range of approaches and services, with particular emphasis on those methods seeking to help children with identified problems. Certain approaches focus on individual children, others on their families, whilst some aim to influence children's lives at school, neighbourhood and community levels. After discussing the principles, designs and debates associated with ideas of effectiveness and evidence, the book evaluates current practice in child and family work, including: early years provision family mediation child and adolescent psychiatry treatment for children who have been sexually abused work with foster children and their families. Each chapter outlines the nature of and principle behind each form of intervention under consideration, then reviews the evidence for their success. The contributors, who come from a range of backgrounds including psychology, social work, psychiatry, education and family mediation, conclude by drawing out common themes and implications about what works for practitioners working with children and their families.

The contributors to this book provide a comprehensive review of child care policy and practice. They present evaluations and critiques of new or impending legislation and policies, and describe innovative services for children and young people who are deemed to be in need of protection, care or control as a result of abandonment, neglect, ill-treatment, offending or other difficulties. They also examine changes in adoption law, where such issues as placement policies in relation to children from ethnic minorities, intercountry adoption and the trend towards greater openness have become prominent and controversial in recent years.