How do practitioners step up to the professional challenge of keeping children safe? Leading author Harry Ferguson draws on his own research, personal experience and real-life case studies to challenge the way we think about child protection. This highly original and engaging book captures the daily reality of practice within life's most personal spaces, and offers a rare insight into the lived experience of working with vulnerable children, their parents and other carers.
An inspiring declaration of the need for a new, intimate approach to child protection, this ground-breaking book lays the foundations of skilful, authoritative practice. It is a must for Social Work student and practitioners within this challenging field.
Introduction
Knocking on the Door of History
The Development of Child Protection Policy and Practice
Streets, Housing Estates, Doorsteps: Getting to the Home
The Home Visit: Crossing the Threshold
Bedrooms, Kitchens and More intimate spaces
Relating to Children
The Importance of Touch in Protecting Children
The Car as a Space for Therapeutic Practice
Hospitals, Office Interviews and the Emotional Complexity of Practice
Working with Mothers
Working with Fathers
Working with Resistance, Good Authority and Involuntary Clients
Multi-Agency Working and Relationship-Based Practice
Spaces for Reflection and Organisational support
Intimate Child Protection Practice
Conclusion.
