Life story work is an approach designed to enable traumatized children to explore, question and understand the past events of their lives. It aims to secure their future by strengthening attachment with their carers and providing the opportunity to develop a healthy sense of self and a feeling of wellbeing. This new edited volume documents innovative ways in which life story work has been developed. It draws on the work of nine life story centres based around the world and provides understanding and guidance for those working with children who have experienced trauma. The book illustrates current theory and practice and looks at how the approach is being used in a variety of settings including schools, intensive services, youth justice, and post-adoption support, highlighting its versatility. The importance of trauma-informed practice when working with vulnerable children is emphasised throughout, to help practitioners provide the best for the children in their care.

Undertaking the treatment to the prophetic today is a bold step. By now one would think that all or most of what can be said on the ministry has been said. But, that would be a mistake and Prophets 101 proves it. This book gives newcomers and trainers an excellent orientation to the prophetic. And, it is quite useful for those who want to refresh themselves on the ministry. Jonathan Ferguson has impressively delivered broad based teaching on prophets and the prophetic that immediately enlightens their spiritual and ministerial understanding. What every young prophet must know to get the grab hold of this ministry is in this book. Not only does he brilliantly capture its core attitudes and actions but he does so from highly impactful vantage points. Prophets 101 addresses the primary and essential ideas of prophetic service simply but profoundly. In it, Jonathan makes the prophetic's most difficult and obscure theories graspable and doable. For example, the way he frames his insights on prophetic history, giftings, office, and mantle more than informs or instructs his readers, it equips them, which is the goal of all good writing. His approach gives prophetic trainers and educators who have the privilege of ushering new ministers into this ministry, whether to the gift or the office an effective tool to use to do so. Almost effortlessly they can adapt this work to their existing courses and use it as a main textbook. Also, this work will appeal to prophetic teachers who will find its easy to read yet richly articulated wisdom well suits their developmental ends. The book's core knowledges prepare its readers for more advanced study of this subject. Lastly, Christians in general could read Prophets 101 and learn much from it. Many of them will discern it better equips them to judge prophetic service and value its advantage to the Lord and His church. Those who have dreaded or avoided the prophetic because of its lack of clarity can take comfort in the answers this book provides. For these reasons, the book serves as a guardian and guide to ministers and believers alike. As a result, those who honestly embrace its counsel will be more inclined to cooperate with the true prophets the Lord sends their way. I heartily commend Jonathan for the superb job he has done of effectively condensing the major ideas and functions of prophetic ministry and applaud the sobering way he illuminates the elementary but nonetheless invaluable principles of prophetic service and governance. Finally, his insightful tempering of its most attractive aspects with the awesome responsibilities that ensures its success. Congratulations Jonathan on a job well done and God bless you. Dr. Paula A. Price Author of The Prophet's Dictionary and The Prophets Handbook

The U.S. Air Force Academy has begun implementing a new system for better preparing cadets to be effective leaders of character; it is called the Officer Development System (ODS). This initiative was a result of an integrative Tiger Team commissioned by USAFA senior leadership in September 2003 to design and implement a deliberate, overarching leader development system. The new system is a four-year, holistic leadership process focused on understanding, appreciating, and acquiring character-based officership. ODS heavily emphasizes the Air Force core values (Integrity, Service, Excellence), identifies officer attributes (Warrior Spirit, Professional, Leader of Character, Servant of the Nation), and aligns with Air Force's Force Development initiative* and associated doctrine. ODS' integrated approach is based upon education, training, and experiences that provide cadets with increased responsibility as they progress through their four years at the Academy. This increased responsibility applies to each individual cadet for his or her own development; however, everyone is just as closely tied to their subordinates' and peers' development as well. ODS rests heavily on teamwork and positive motivation methods. It adheres to established standards through continuous improvement in obtaining institutionally agreed upon competencies that will better enable this next generation of leaders of character to meet Air Force requirements.