Community Approaches to Child Welfare International Perspectives

Published in 1999, Community Approaches to Child Welfare is written by both practitioners and academics to explore ways in which community-based, preventative approaches to child welfare can be used to support families experiencing behavioural problems with children or undergoing difficulties in raising them. Specific practice examples developed in Britain, Canada and Sweden provide an international dimension to this book. Comparing and contrasting developments within these countries reveal that there are both similarities in the methods adopted and difference in the ways in which these are applied. Common themes which appear across the stories that are presented include: the importance of ensuring cultural specificity to respond to identity issues and local traditions; the need to adhere to legislation that is country specific; the importance of dealing with some child welfare issues on an international basis, e.g. child abductions; and the importance of giving children the space within which to articulate their own 'voice.' Additionally, the book reveals how working with families from a community perspective which is centered in acknowledging children’s rights and parental rights may challenge professionals in ways that they find uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the book concludes that practice can more effectively serve children’s interests if parents and workers work in partnership with each other.

1. Introducing International Perspectives in Child Welfare, Lena Dominelli 2. Critical Issues in Child Welfare: Perspectives from the Field, Joan Gilroy 3. Creating Second-Class Citizens in Child Welfare, Marilyn Callahan 4. A Community Approach to Urban Child Welfare in Canada, Bill Lee 5. The Children Act, 1989:A New Partnership with Parents?, Mehmoona Moosa-Mitha 6. Family Group Conferences:A Challenge to the Old Order?, Shirley Jackson and Paul Nixon 7. Family Group Conferences:A Co-Ordinator’s Perspective, Marilyn Taylor 8. Crossing Reality - Building Networks around Families in Crisis, Nicoline Isacson and Greger Helin 9. Empowering Children: The End-Point for Community Approaches to Child Welfare, Lena Dominelli.

Lena Dominelli is President of the International Association of Schools of Social Work and Director of the Centre for International Social and Community Development. The University of Southampton, UK