Family Centres and their International Role in Social Action: Social Work as Informal Education (Routledge Revivals)

This title was first published in 2001: Family centre practice is one of the success stories of the past twenty years. As well as contributing creative ideas to centre practice this important edited collection highlights the role of practitioners as developmental or informal educationalists. International contributors challenge care management in child protection as the dominant discourse in child care social work and instead advance integrated practice in the internationally developing role of family centres as a more authentic and hopeful practice for children and families. The contributors outline ways of avoiding reductionism - social work reduced to a protective and assessment role - and show how socially inclusive practice can be sustained with very marginalized families. The book argues that there is a need for the social work training curriculum to emphasize social work's debt to social and informal education, and concludes with a call for an international forum of family centre practice. In sixteen chapters, international contributors discuss their experiences in building and maintaining family support and developing family center practice. Such programs are an increasing part of legislative mandates as well as foundation-supported services offered by faith-based and state-funded agencies, mental health organizations, community centers, early childhood programs, and schools. The volume addresses concerns such as funding, program development and evaluation, and the development of practitioners with knowledge and skill in nontraditional approaches. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) "This book identifies a rich vein of (family) centred practice which it is hoped will provide inspiration and ideas for those who work and participate in centres, and for those who are responsible for them." -- p. 1 This work identifies a rich vein of family-centred practice which it is hoped will provide inspiration and ideas for those working and participating in family centres and those responsible for them.