Children's rights can only be promoted if policy and practice are based on an understanding of their needs: .What are the connections between harm to children and young people and their everyday experience? .What is the connection between social conditions, attitudes to children, their rights and needs and levels of harm? .How should policies for children and families and the organisation and style of child protection services respond? The book provides examples of good practice-in direct work with children and families and in changing procedures, organisation and policy-which draw on such an understanding of rights and needs. Multidisciplinary strategic planning and advanced practice are emphasised. Contents: The Legal Framework for Child Centred Practice . Links Between Disadvantage and Harm to Children . Race and Child Protection . Issues in Education . Young Women and Sexual Harassment . Issues for parents . Issues for Mothers . Theoretical Debates-Feminism and Post-Modernism . User Friendly Assessment Norma Baldwin is Professor of Social Work, University of Dundee.

Published in 1998, the book provides a useful contribution to current debates on social exclusion, the regeneration of communities and the refocusing of crisis driven child protection services to family support and the prevention of harm. It stresses the need for interagency strategies of: - neighbourhood and family support - action with young people for a safer environment - principles of partnership with communities - positive action to build on the strengths of families and communities, drawing on their own resources and expertise The detailed account of work to develop such strategies in one neighbourhood will be of value to policy makers, managers and practitioners. The book gives an overview of conditions associated with harm and abuse of children and approaches which can be successful in preventing harm. It documents experience and views of parents - mainly mothers - attempting to bring up their children in health and safety in a severely disadvantaged area. It argues for practical recognition of the links between disadvantage and individual harm, and the need for community development approaches to improve the life chances of children and families.

Published in 1998, the book provides a useful contribution to current debates on social exclusion, the regeneration of communities and the refocusing of crisis driven child protection services to family support and the prevention of harm. It stresses the need for interagency strategies of: - neighbourhood and family support - action with young people for a safer environment - principles of partnership with communities - positive action to build on the strengths of families and communities, drawing on their own resources and expertise The detailed account of work to develop such strategies in one neighbourhood will be of value to policy makers, managers and practitioners. The book gives an overview of conditions associated with harm and abuse of children and approaches which can be successful in preventing harm. It documents experience and views of parents - mainly mothers - attempting to bring up their children in health and safety in a severely disadvantaged area. It argues for practical recognition of the links between disadvantage and individual harm, and the need for community development approaches to improve the life chances of children and families.