Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers

`[The authors] have fashioned a book that is informed and informative, theoretically wise and practically useful...Readers will value Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers for the wisdom that it brings and the guidance that it offers. And armed with the knowledge so neatly wrapped up in the pages of this very sensible book, the reflective practitioner will be well-placed to make young lives that much better.' - from the Foreword by Professor David Howe, Professor of Social Work, University of East Anglia, UK

`The second edition of this highly regarded book is most welcome. The chapters, written by experts in the field, will assist those working with children and young people to understand key developmental processes. The practical approach used throughout this book will also ensure practitioners are well equipped to undertake child-centred assessments and identify appropriate interventions.' - Professor Jan Horwath, Professor of Child Welfare, University of Sheffield, UK

Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers is a classic text for students and practitioners in the child care and protection field that summarises important current thinking on child development and applies it directly to practice.

The book covers key issues such as resilience and vulnerability and the impact of protective or adverse environments. Different stages of development (infancy, school age and adolescence) are discussed, and attachment theory is used to offer insights into the impact of abuse and neglect on development. A key feature is the inclusion of case studies and activities to allow the reader to improve their understanding and reflect on good practice. This second edition is fully revised to reflect current policy and practice, including a focus on multi-disciplinary working, and contains updated practice examples to take into account contemporary issues affecting children and young people.

This book encourages practitioners to consider each child as an individual with unique circumstances, and links theory and practice in an imaginative and sympathetic way. It will be essential reading for all child care and protection workers.

Brigid Daniel is Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling She is the co-author of numerous books on child care and protection including The Early Years. The School Years, and Adolescence, co-authored with Sally Wassell, Engaging with Fathers, co-authored with Julie Taylor; and Child Neglect, co-edited with Julie Taylor, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sally Wassell is an independent consultant and trainer in child care, an associate lecturer at Dundee University, and author of several books on child care and protection.
Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin and associate director of the Children's Research Centre. He has written extensively on child care and foster care