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.