Working in Children's Homes: Challenges and Complexities / Edition 1

by Dorothy Whitaker, Lesley Archer, Leslie Hicks

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471979531
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	06/11/1998
Series:	Living Away From Home - Studies in Residential Care , #2
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	6.16(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Dorothy Whitaker is the author of Working in Children's Homes: Challenges and Complexities, published by Wiley.

Lesley Archer is the author of Working in Children's Homes: Challenges and Complexities, published by Wiley.

Leslie Hicks is the author of Working in Children's Homes: Challenges and Complexities, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Focusing on Staff Groups.

The Homes, and the Circumstances of the Young People.

The Range of Tasks in Day-to-Day Work.

Rewards and Stresses, Ups and Downs.

Working with Individual Young People.

Working with the Mix of Young People.

Working with and Being Managed by the Larger Organisation.

Working with People and Organisations in Wider Networks.

Maintaining Viability as a Staff Team, in the Face of Change.

Working Purposefully.

Building a Picture of Good Practice.

Characteristics of Good Practice.

Factors which Support or Hinder Good Practice.

Factors which Influence Outcomes for Individual Young People.

The Quality of Homes as Care Settings.

General Comments on the Challenges and Complexities which StaffGroups Face in Children's Homes.

References and Further Reading.

Index.

Editorial Reviews

"....This is a book which should particularly be read by managersoutside residential settings, by field social workers, senioradministrators...", , , Children & Society

From the Publisher