Abstract

Effective Ways of Working with Children and their Families examines the latest evidence about the most successful forms of intervention when working with children and their families. The book covers a wide range of approaches and services, with particular emphasis on those methods seeking to help children with identified problems. Certain approaches focus on individual children, others on their families, whilst some aim to influence children's lives at school, neighbourhood and community levels. After discussing the principles, designs and debates associated with ideas of effectiveness and evidence, the book evaluates current practice in child and family work, including:

early years provision

family mediation

child and adolescent psychiatry

treatment for children who have been sexually abused

work with foster children and their families.

Each chapter outlines the nature of and principle behind each form of intervention under consideration, then reviews the evidence for their success. The contributors, who come from a range of backgrounds including psychology, social work, psychiatry, education and family mediation, conclude by drawing out common themes and implications about what works for practitioners working with children and their families.

This is an impressive book, bringing together many different findings and data. I recommend it for all professionals working with children, families and hte larger system.'
Psychiatric Bulletin
This book, aimed primarily at those in social and community work, examines the latest evidence about the "most successful forms of intervention when working with children and their families". It covers areas such as; Social Learning, Family Therapy, Educational Services for Children with Emotional or Learning Disabilities and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services. Very detailed and full of in-depth studies, it also includes up-to-date research on this crucial subject. The backgrounds of the contributors include psychology, social work, psychiatry, education and family mediation.
Youthwork
The reviewer found this book to be valuable, particularly for students and practitioners who want concise overviews of some of the major areas of intervention in children's lives. While many of the contributiors could not go into enormous depth, nonetheless the various chapters do signpost very important issues and reference major studies which should guide best practice... If readers take the time to look at less familiar areas they will not be disappointed. If this occurs the volume can truly be said to have been effective in deepening the reader's knowledge of and respect for other practitioners and their clients.
International Social Work
Effective ways…sets out to inform and hopefully encourage those concerned with the well-being of children, young people and their families. It is a book, like many of Malcolm Hill's editions and publications, that does well to stimulate thought and educate both in breadth and depth of material.
International Journal of Children's Spirituality
Malcolm Hill is Professor of Social Work and Director of the Centre for the Child and Society, University of Glasgow. He edited Social Work and the European Community and was co-editor with Jane Aldgate of Child Welfare Services, published by Jessica Kingsley. He recently co-authored the book Middle Childhood and has co-edited Residential Child Care.
This is not a dry academic research methodology textbook... With the range of interactions between the individual and the environment that are described in this ambitious book, it is remarkable that strong themes emerge successfully about ways of working with children and families... This book is a timely review, complementing current governmental guidelines on family assessment (DOH, 2000), and is essential reading for those who wish to inform their judgement, policy and practice.
Child Abuse Review