Strength-based practice is an optimistic and empowering approach that is becoming increasingly popular in the education sector from early years to middle years and youth services. This book helps those working with children and families embed this approach in their practice to make a positive difference to children's lives.

Intended for students and practitioners working with children and families, this book provides a practical guide, demonstrating how to identify strengths in the most challenging of situations and offers an optimistic and empowering approach using a diverse range of case studies. It is also relevant for those involved in SEND and social work. The study of strength-based practice has been widely used in the health and social care sector and is becoming more popular within the educational sector, aiming to fill a gap in training for future practitioners working with children and families. Using case studies and reflective questions, this book marries the practical and theoretical, demonstrating how to apply this knowledge in a variety of settings.

About the Author

Angela Hodgkins has worked with children and families for 20 years in a range of settings and roles. She is now a senior lecturer at the University of Worcester and Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families. Angela's main research interests are empathy, emotional intelligence, and children's rights. She is currently conducting research for a PhD, looking at early childhood practitioners' perceptions of empathy within their role.

Alison Prowle began her career as a primary school teacher where she first witnessed the effects of multiple disadvantages on outcomes for children. This sparked a passion for early intervention with families and young children, working within schools, children's centres, the voluntary sector, and local government. Most recently Alison has been teaching, researching, and writing in the area of adverse childhood experiences, integrated working, parenting, and families at the University of Worcester.

Reviews

"This book is full of optimism and positivity, identifying how practitioners can find strengths even when working with those facing very challenging circumstances. At its heart is a commitment to identifying and fostering resilience, in order to progress to positive outcomes for families, children and young people. The book has a clear structure and format, and its visual elements ensure that information is presented with remarkable clarity. It promotes and supports careful reflection on practice and very effectively applies key concepts to real-life situations. Given the uncertainties in our world, faced by people across a full breadth of age ranges, this book is refreshing in its offer of hope."

-- Professor Richard Woolley * Head of the School of Education, University of Hull *

"Huge congratulations to the authors of this invaluable book. They have brought together a range of perspectives from different and distinct areas of working with children, and their families, starting from conception and moving across childhood and youth. It is especially pleasing to see the often-overlooked middle childhood phase being given attention.

I will take away many lessons from this book, the authors offer fresh insights and practical approaches to looking for the strengths in professional situations, and many of the practical suggestions will be helpful for personal preservation, and even self-improvement.

The book is structured beautifully, with numerous diagrams and illustrations that enhance the accessibility of the content. This is a valuable resource for practitioners, it will be useful for students who are studying degrees related to professions in education, health and care, as well as being a useful teaching tool for lecturers. Very highly recommended, a great read."

-- Dr Jackie Musgrave * Associate Head of School, School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS), OU *



Book Information
ISBN 9781915080264
Author Angela Hodgkins
Format Paperback
Page Count 218
Imprint Critical Publishing Ltd
Publisher Critical Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 353g
Dimensions(mm) 246mm * 174mm * 10mm