The child's world : assessing children in need / edited by Jan Horwath.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Written for professionals involved in the assessment of children in need, this book is a comprehensive guide to recent developments in research and practice. It looks at the policy framework for assessment, the actual process of assessment, how to assess the developmental needs of children and how to assess their parents' and family's capacity to meet those needs.

The contributors are experts from a range of fields and the guide, which was developed by the NSPCC and is published in association with them, is designed to facilitate productive joint agency work. Key topics covered include:

* ecological perspectives on the child and the family

* attachment theory and child development

* assessing families where the parents have a learning disability

* working with children and families from minority ethnic groups

* the effect of sexual abuse within the family on the assessment process

* assessment prior to birth.

Originally commissioned by the Department of Health, and outlining the developments and theory underpinning their Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families this book will be essential reading for qualified and trainee social workers and those completing the Post Qualifying Award in Child Care. It will also be an indispensable guide for psychologists, teachers, health visitors, and any other professionals and qualifying professionals involved in the assessment of children in need.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. 9)
• Acknowledgements (p. 12)
• Introduction (p. 15)
• Part I The framework (p. 21)
• 1. Assessing the world of the child in need: background and context (p. 23)
• 2. Assessing children in need and their families: an overview of the framework (p. 35)
• Part II The assessment process (p. 51)
• 3. Ecological perspectives in assessing children and families (p. 53)
• 4. The core assessment: how to synthesise information and make judgments (p. 75)
• 5. Assessment of parental motivation to change (p. 98)
• 6. Empowering children and family members to participate in the assessment process (p. 114)
• 7. Entering the child's world: communicating with children to assess their needs (p. 129)
• 8. Assessing children and families who belong to minority ethnic groups (p. 140)
• 9. Supervising assessments of children and families: the role of the front line manager (p. 150)
• Part III Assessing the developmental needs of children (p. 165)
• 10. The developmental needs of children: implications for assessment (p. 167)
• 11. Promoting positive outcomes for children in need: the assessment of protective factors (p. 180)
• 12. Attachment (p. 194)
• 13. The assessment of children with complex needs (p. 207)
• 14. Young carers: needs, rights and assessments (p. 221)
• 15. Assessment prior to birth (p. 234)
• Part IV Assessing parental capacity to respond to the developmental needs of the child (p. 253)
• 16. The assessment of parental capacity (p. 255)
• 17. When parents' issues influence their ability to respond to children's needs (p. 273)
• 18. Implementing the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families when the parent has a learning disability (p. 287)
• 19. Assessing parental capacity when intrafamilial sexual abuse by an adult is a concern (p. 303)
• 20. Young people who sexually abuse: implications for assessment (p. 321)
• The Contributors (p. 337)
• Subject Index (p. 341)
• Author Index (p. 348)

Author notes provided by Syndetics