Leslie Hicks

Adolescent neglect is a significant problem within child protection, but focus on child neglect and other forms of maltreatment means that it can often be overlooked. This book outlines how adolescent neglect differs from child neglect, the context of why it is overlooked, how it is defined, the causes and consequences of neglect, young people's views, and what professionals can do. Based on original research, the book establishes an evidence base and considers the implications for policy and practice. The concluding chapter sets out a practice-based framework for recognizing and working with adolescent neglect. Each chapter includes reflection points to stimulate thinking on key issues. This will be essential reading for all those who work with young people, particularly those in social work, health services and education, as well as academics, policymakers and students in these fields.

Managing Children's Homes focuses on leadership, effective management, the allocation of resources, and ensuring positive outcomes for young people in residential care. The book develops an interdisciplinary understanding of what needs to be taken into account when establishing and maintaining good practice on behalf of young people living in children's homes. The authors explain the considerable variation in quality achieved by children's homes and how this relates to management style, working environment and staff structures. The skills and qualities that make effective managers of homes are explored. These, along with factors such as the provision of resources, are investigated to demonstrate how to attain a successful children's home environment and longer-term achievement for looked-after children. Based on innovative, DfES-funded, interdisciplinary research, this book will be essential reading for staff and managers in children's care homes and will also be of interest to students, policy-makers and directors of social services.

This highly topical report provides much needed evidence to inform the re-configuration of services for children and young people. Focusing on the Connexions strategy and service in England, it explores the effectiveness of inter-agency working in this area. The report is based on two years research in three contrasting Connexions Partnerships and around 300 hours of interviews with key stakeholders, young people's Personal Advisors and young people themselves. It examines the inter-agency strategies developed by the partnerships but, most importantly, what impact they have had on the interventions made with young people facing acute and complex needs. It will be of particular interest to Connexions professionals and managers, others involved in partnership working, those involved in the development and implementation of Children and Young People's Strategic Partnerships and Children's Trusts, as well as youth researchers and policy makers.

Working in Children s Homes is one of an important series of bookson residential care based on research sponsored by the Departmentof Health. This book draws on extensive research conducted over athree-year period. The authors address the challenges andcomplexities facing those who work with and in children s homes. Onthe basis of interviews and discussions with heads of homes andstaff groups, the authors explore the tasks which face staffgroups, the rationale for their procedures, their sources ofstresses and rewards, and the everyday ups and downs characteristicof residential care. Key tasks are discussed in depth, such asworking with individual children, the mix of young people, managersand others in their own organisation, and the wider networkssurrounding the home and the child. Characteristics of goodpractice are named, and factors which facilitate good practice andgood outcomes are identified. Valuable recommendations are madefor * implementing and modifying procedures to improve workingpractices * staff selection and training * support required by staff groups * procedures and communication channels in the larger organisationand surrounding networks Working in Children s Homes provides a comprehensive commentary onthe nature of care and working practices related to children shomes. It is essential reading for all those concerned with the careof children and young people in residential settings.