Advocating for Children Looked After: Promoting Positive Identities in Professional Practice

This accessible guide provides a detailed and practical understanding of how to support Children Looked After (CLA), exploring concepts surrounding identity and the key role professionals can play by becoming advocates for these children. With a mixture of theory, reflection and application to practice, Advocating for Children Looked After considers contemporary topics, from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), labelling and stigma, to the relationships surrounding Children Looked After.

Embedded within the chapters are positive everyday practices, case studies and dialogues, all of which help to create a safe space for children to develop their own sense of self. Throughout the book, outdated views are challenged and replaced with the voices of children and young people themselves, and strategies and opportunities are provided for the reader to truly understand the perspectives of Children Looked After and to develop their practice to best support their needs and well-being. Care is taken to refer to Children Looked After, rather than Looked After Children, placing the child at the forefront and before their care status.

Informative and reflective, this book offers both students and professionals a diverse insight into what makes a Child Looked After unique, with the aim of breaking the cycle in regard to their development and outcomes. It will be key reading for all professionals including those within education and social work, as well as those on undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional childhood courses.

Stella Smith is a senior lecturer and childhood placement lead at Nottingham Trent University, UK, and has worked in the Early Childhood sector for the last 10 years. She began her career as an Early Years teacher in private day nurseries then transitioning into further, then higher education. Stella is an adoptive mum and has developed a passion for promoting positive attachments for Children Looked After in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Kerry-Ann Rawson is a senior lecturer and course leader for the BA Childhood suite of programmes at Nottingham Trent University, UK. She started her teaching career in further education over 16 years ago where her role included teaching Early Education and Childhood studies programmes across all levels of learning as well as teaching Year 10 and 11 in a range of secondary schools. Kerry-Ann's upbringing has influenced her passion for developing positive practices for Children Looked After.