Supporting Young Children's Participation in Child Welfare - by Karen Winter & Gillian Ruch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

How do we better involve young children in the decision-making of their own social care? This book, developed from the Erasmus+ funded PANDA project, explores the development of knowledge and resources to educate and support social workers in their collaboration with children aged 12 and under.

Featuring real-life practice vignettes, reflective questions and evidence-informed implications for practice - plus free additional resources on the PANDA project website - the book provides valuable insights that combine the work of academic and professional practice from a European perspective.

With contributions from authors in Belgium, Northern Ireland, Norway and Spain, this essential resource empowers practitioners and policy makers to promote the participation rights of young children in decision-making processes and to help children find their voice in challenging times.

Review Quotes

"The right, and indeed necessity, of children and young people having a say in how their lives are shaped is increasingly embedded in social welfare legislation and policy. But moving from policy to practice remains a challenge. This book steps up to the challenge and its succinctness means that its messages and methods can be readily taken on board by those working with children and young people. It is well worth the time to delve into this inspiring text." Emeritus Professor Ray Jones, Kingston University

"This is a much-needed practice-facing book drawing on a four-country collaboration for social work professionals to reflect on and develop their participatory practice with young children. The book provides a clear rationale rooted in the UNCRC and detailed chapters on how such practice can be made possible with even the youngest children, using playful and creative approaches and optimising the potentials of the natural world. I am confident this will inspire practitioners to experiment and engage in the joys of relational work with children." Debbie Watson, University of Bristol

About the Author

Karen Winter is Professor of Children's Social Care at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast.

Gillian Ruch is Professor of Social Work at the School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex.