In care and after : a positive perspective / edited by Elaine Chase, Antonia Simon and Sonia Jackson.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Chase, Elaine, 1962-

Simon, Antonia.

Jackson, Sonia.

University of London. Thomas Coram Research Unit.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Foster children--Great Britain.

Foster children.

Foster home care--Great Britain.

Foster home care.

Youth with social disabilities.

Youth--Institutional care.

Youth.

Great Britain.

Youth--Institutional care--Great Britain.

Youth with social disabilities--Great Britain.

Physical Description:

x, 202 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2006.

Summary:

This book presents a radical new perspective on the care system, its strengths and shortcomings. While much has been written in recent years about poor outcomes for young people leaving care, In Care and After challenges the dominant view that 69,000 children and young people in care in Britain are passive victims of their circumstances. Rather, it demonstrates their resilience and potential to shape their lives and seize opportunities that come their way, provided they are given the right support and encouragement.

Informed by young people's views and based on highly innovative research conducted at the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University of London, In Care and After provides a critical analysis of the different facets of current care services and their evolution. Throughout, the authors pose a number of controversial questions emerging from the research that are relevant for policy makers and practitioners alike: Can corporate parenting be good parenting? Does teenage parenthood for young people from care necessarily spell disaster? Could better educational opportunities for young people in care transform outcomes?

By adopting what is referred to as the 'strengths perspective' in social care and focusing on the more positive outcomes and experiences of young people in and leaving care, this book adds a new dimension to the current literature and will be essential reading for those working in or preparing to work in the fields of social care, health and education.

Contents:

1 Introduction: towards a positive perspective / Elaine Chase, Sonia Jackson, Antonia Simon 1

2 Looking after children away from home: past and present / Sonia Jackson 9

3 Outcomes for children in care: what do we know? / Antonia Simon, Charlie Owen 26

4 The costs and benefits of educating children in care / Sonia Jackson, Antonia Simon 44

5 By degrees: care leavers in higher education / Sarah Ajayi, Margaret Quigley 63

6 Is early parenthood such a bad thing? / Elaine Chase, Abigail Knight 82

7 Looking back: experiences of private fostering / Charlie Owen, Edwina Peart, Sofka Barreau 101

8 Residential care: Lessons from Europe / Pat Petrie, Antonia Simon 115

9 Advocacy: giving young people a voice / Christine Oliver 137

10 Promoting young people's participation in research / Valerie Wigfall, Claire Cameron 152

11 Moving forward / Sonia Jackson, Antonia Simon, Elaine Chase 169

Appendix Acts of Parliament and other national policies 176.

Notes:

"Studies ... carried out at the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University of London"--Acknowledgements.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [178]-194) and indexes.

ISBN:

0415352533

0415352541

OCLC:

60514935

Publisher Number:

9780415352536 (hbk.)

9780415352543 (pbk.)