BOOK
Homeless Children
Panos Vostanis | Rob Wrate | Geoff Whitty | Sally Power | Pat Niner | Kathleen Hutchinson | Ellen Malos | Gill Hague | Stuart Cumella | Jacqueline Barnes | Ellen Bassuk | Caroline Blair | Leila Baker | John Buckner
(1999)
Additional Information
Book Details
Abstract
An increasing number of families are becoming homeless, often as a result of domestic violence, which leaves women and their school age children without homes. This multidisciplinary volume is the first to look at the variety of problems encountered by this group and to propose strategies for managing those problems. The contributors to this book provide evidence that homeless children often have more acute problems and needs than other children; as a result of the insecurity of their situation, they may experience physical health problems and developmental delay. They are also at high risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties such as sleep disturbance, eating problems, aggression, over-activity, anxiety, depression and self-harm. At the same time, due to their unstable situation, they are less able to access support from the health, education and social services.
Homeless Children defines the specific problems and needs of homeless children, and draws up practical guidelines for staff and agencies on recognising and dealing with those problems. It then looks at policy and service development for homeless families in education, health and social care, and concludes that conventional methods of provision have to be adapted to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable group.
This is a well-organized book and a worthwhile read for those working in this area. The focus on children and families is important, as is the multidisciplinary approach. Examples of programs that are working in other countries would have made this book richer. The recommendations do not provide the reader with a clear model for successful service delivery or policy development. What does emerge is the realization that conventional methods of service providers must be more flexible if they are to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable and marginalized group.
CASW Bulletin
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeless Children: Problems and Needs | 4 | ||
| Contents | 5 | ||
| 1. Introduction | 8 | ||
| 2. Homeless Families | 12 | ||
| 3. Health Problems of Homeless Children | 29 | ||
| 4. Child Mental Health Problems | 44 | ||
| 5. Parenting Issues in Homeless Families | 56 | ||
| 6. Homeless Children and Domestic Violence | 69 | ||
| 7. Homeless Adolescents | 84 | ||
| 8. Effects of Changes in Housing Legislation | 98 | ||
| 9. The Impact of Health and Social Services | 113 | ||
| 10. Homeless Children: Public Health Perspectives | 122 | ||
| 11. Doubly Disadvantaged: Education and the Homeless Child | 131 | ||
| 12. Access to Voluntary Sector Agencies | 143 | ||
| 13. Family Homelessness in the USA | 155 | ||
| 14. Responding to Family Homelessness | 169 | ||
| List of Contributors | 176 | ||
| References | 180 | ||
| Index | 200 |