Children in society : contemporary theory, policy and practice / edited by Pam Foley, Jeremy Roche and Stanley Tucker.

Published in association with the Open University.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 258-280) and index.

Part I: Contemporary childhoods -- 1.The development of child health and welfare services in England (1900-1948) -- 2.The changing experience of childhood -- 4.The demonization of children: from the symbolic to the institutional -- 5.Racism: an important factor in practice with ethnic minority children and families -- 6.Childcare policy -- 7.Towards a 'children's policy' for the European Union? -- Part II. Quality of life for children -- 9.Children's welfare and children's rights -- 10.'Our bodies, ourselves'? Mothers, children and health care at home -- 11.Listening to children -- 12.Community development: a strategy for empowerement -- Part III: Conceptual and practice frameworks -- 13.Working towards consensus: children's hearings in Scotland -- 14.Parental responsibility -- 15.The impact of domestic violence on children -- 16.Primary education in Scotland -- 17.Children, sexual abuse and the child protection system -- 18.Foster families -- 19.External influences on workplace competence: improving services to children and families -- 20.An ecological perspective on child abuse -- Part IV. Working with children and families -- 21.Children's health at school -- 22.Theories of child development -- 23.Working with disabled children -- 24.Involving children and families in decision-making about health -- 25.Men working in childcare -- 26.Perspectives on parenting -- 27.Developing partnership practice.

This text provides a critical account of the theoretical and practical issues raised in working with children and families. Debates are used to shed light on different perspectives, forms of practice and dimensions of policy.