Addressing the alienation of practitioners from positivist and quantitative research, this book shows how research can be compatible with how practitioners collect and understand data. Drawing on research approaches that take account of subjectivity and employ participative methods, the authors develop an approach to practice for the research- minded practitioner. Whilst useful for practitioners wanting to do research, the primary intention of this book is to explore ways in which practitioners may be research-minded in their work.

Examining the assessment of need in children's services this book addresses the full spectrum of practice, policy and research developments in the field. The contributors include leading academics, policy makers and senior practitioners who generate a broad-based holistic approach to the assessment of children in need. They show how needs assessment in children's services can be used to tackle problems such as low achievement, mental ill-health and social exclusion at both individual and strategic levels. Approaches to the Assessment of Need in Children's Services will enable service managers and practitioners to respond effectively to the increasing pressure to monitor outcomes and effectiveness in child care work, and to improve and coordinate children's welfare service provision at individual and community levels and provides an indispensable overview and analysis for anyone working or studying in child welfare and social care.