Meeting the needs of children at the same time as promoting family life is more than a question of resources: it needs a culture change in social services: a rediscovery and a modernization of the social action and community development traditions in social work. In Social Action with Children and Families the authors argue that ways must be found to work together to promote environments in which children can flourish, and to develop forms of public life which are friendly to children and their parents.
Recent changes in child care systems have put more pressures on those working in it. Social workers have become more open to public scrutiny and are expected to respond to problems rooted in social and economic aspects of their clients' or services users' lives. Legislation stresses working in partnership with parents, other professionals, and community groups.
The central aim of Social Action with Children and Families is to help those working in this field to find a new, more positive sense of direction and purpose. It will be invaluable reading to those studying social work, social policy and public administration as well as to all professionals working in these areas.

About the Author
Crescy Cannan and Chris Warren are lecturers at the School of Cultural and Community Studies, University of Sussex.

Reviews

'A welcome contribution to the debate about the most effective ways of supporting children and families ... I hope this book is widely read by policy makers, managers and practitioners. It points the way forward for a more empowering, community-based and strengths-based practice for children and their families.' - Community Care

'Strategies and practice are described with creativity and commitment...an accessible and readable text for students and professionals...may be influential in developing current thinking about the meaning, and possiblities for, family support.' - Child and Family Social Work

'Inspirational in attempting to establish a radical future agenda for work with children and families in the UK...diverse and exciting collection.' - Social Work in Europe

'It is heartening to pick up a text that refers to long-term community development work ... this book makes a useful contribution to what it is hoped will be an increasingly vibrant area of practice and research.' - British Journal of Social Work

'I will recommend this book to my students in the expectation that they, as the youth and community workers of tomorrow, will pick up the visions and optimism of inclusiveness and conviviality that informs pure community development.' - European Journal of Social Work Vol 1:3 1998

Book Information
ISBN 9780415131513
Author Crescy Cannan
Format Paperback
Page Count 226
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 340g