This comprehensive book is a critical introduction to the theoretical and practical issues involved in working with children and families. It sheds light on different perspectives, forms of practice, and dimensions of policy, with a focus on the practical issues of concern to professionals working with children in a range of settings.

Changing children's services: working and learning together focuses on the on-going and fundamental changes to children's services across the U.K. in the context of the drive towards increasingly integrated ways of working. The new edition of this bestselling textbook critically examines the potential and reality of closer 'working together' and asks whether such new ways of working will be able to respond more effectively to the needs and aspirations of children and their families. The fully updated second edition also explores the experience of working in a constantly changing environment and the impact of change on workplace cultures and on children and their families, and policy towards parenting and concepts for practice. It includes a new introduction with a helpful overview of current key issues and new case studies to illustrate the reality of practice today . This book contributes to crucial debates about the knowledge and skills essential for work with children and with parents in the childcare, health, social care and educational children's services.

Promoting children's wellbeing examines the wide-ranging and growing number of policies and practices which are intended to contribute to children's wellbeing. The topics include: the development of children's identities, the value of play in the lives of contemporary children, the promotion of children's health, risk and staying safe, and family law. The contributors draw upon research and practice to analyse and examine the policies, services and practice skills needed for collaborative, effective and equitable work with children. It will be important reading for students, practitioners and academics working in a wide range of children's services across the UK.

This reader provides a critical and comprehensive account of the theoretical and practical issues raised in working with children and families. It draws on debates from a range of disciplines to shed light on different perspectives, forms of practice and dimensions of policy. Its strong applied focus allows it to address a rich variety of issues of concern to professionals working with children in a range of settings. The contributing authors consist of leading academics in the field as well as those with first-hand knowledge and experience; all write in a clear and engaging style.