Understanding Child and Family Welfare

The international perspectives the authors bring to the topic are a real strength. A very interesting and readable text which provides an in-depth analysis of child and family welfare.' - Sue Peckover, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield, UK 'This book provides a really nice philosophical and practical comparison between different child welfare systems - of particular importance given the increased diversification of populations being served in the US.' - Robin R. Wingo, Associate Professor and MSW Field Director, Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA 'One of the strengths of the book is that it demonstrates that mastery of knowledge alone is not sufficient for effective practice in the child protection field. Each chapter highlights that it is how knowledge integrates with practice that is important.' - Yvonne Crichton-Hill, Senior Lecturer, School of Social and Political Sciences, Social Work Programme, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

This book crosses international boundaries to explore contemporary child and family welfare practices. It traces the major changes and challenges in Western practice over the past decade, looks at evidence-informed practice, and focuses on the generic phases of the statutory process, including assessing risk and finding safe solutions.How do workers around the world balance risk and support to ensure that their practice meets the ever-changing needs of children and their families? Renowned authors Marie Connolly and Kate Morris join forces to explore the frameworks and ideas which have shaped contemporary child and family welfare practice. From definitions of abuse to assessment models, they examine the knowledge base which lies at the heart of safe and effective statutory practice with children and families. Drawing on examples from a range of English-speaking jurisdictions, the book explores: - How to engage families, including participatory approaches and the role of the Family Group Conference - How to create positive out-of-home environments for children, discussing foster, kinship and residential care and adoption settings - How to improve professional decision-making through supervision and other organizational frameworks. At a time when child welfare systems across the globe are undergoing review, Understanding Child and Family Welfare provides a timely exploration of the reform agendas which will shape future practice. With sharp analytic insights into the difficulties and dilemmas which characterize this field, it is fundamental reading for all students studying child and family support or child protection, as well as for practitioners working within children and family settings.