Book review: Child Welfare Services: Developments in Law, Policy, Practice and Research edited by M. Hill and J. Aldgate, 1996, 270 pp., ISBN 1-85302-316-7 (Pbk). £17.95
✍ Scribed by Celia Atherton
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1997
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 85 KB
- Volume
- 6
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0952-9136
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
With so much media and political attention on social work it is refreshing to read a book which seeks to place practice within the wider context of a number of jurisdictions. Both the similarities and dierences have something to tell us about current and future social work practice. Books which try to cover the vast terrains of law, policy, practice and research will inevitably have gaps, but nevertheless the endeavour is well worthwhile. Social workers are more likely to read one book than four books. The eort to bring together a relevant and forward looking selection here is welcome and many of the individual chapters bring new insights to old issues.
The book is organised according to developments in four areas: law, policy and related research; child protection; out of home care; and evaluation and outcomes. It is fascinating to gain an insight into the separate, but clearly related, legal developments in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. The impact of the Troubles in Northern Ireland is woven through the development of their legislation, to a greater extent than elsewhere. These chapters are preceded by an excellent historical background paper from the editors, which also reviews the important current research literature and ®ndings. It does much to introduce the rest of the book and acts as a reminder that social work, and the reasons for its particular legislative framework, are always more complex than the media, and some of our politicians, would have us think.
Research ®ndings are again highlighted in the chapters concerning children and crime (Asquith) and families', social workers' and police perspective on child abuse investigations (Waterhouse and McGhee). The chapter by Thoburn, Lewis and Shemmings gives a clear and succinct report of their research and includes an analysis of the factors associated with successful partnership practice. It helps maintain a proper perspective on why partnership is, and will remain, crucial if we are to provide the very best for our nation's children: `There was a highly signi®cant association between the main parent being involved and the child having a good or moderately good interim outcome. This should reassure those who have expressed concerns that attempts to work in partnership with parents might have a negative eect on the child's welfare'.
Currently, some 90% of social work departments in England are using the Looking After Children materials to help them focus their work on producing good outcomes for children who are looked after. Keeping all sta in touch with the need for such tools, and the way in which they have developed, is not easy. Ward's clear chapter would do very well indeed in any sta induction reading pack. The chapter detailing the more extended use of respite accommodation provided for in the Children Act 1989 is a heartening description of how looking after children can be, indeed should be, regarded as a central plank of a family support service. It extends our understanding of the types of children who can be helped by schemes which used to be reserved for disabled children.