The Child's World: Assessing Children in Need

Written for professionals involved in the assessment of children in need, this book is a comprehensive guide to recent developments in research and practice. It looks at the policy framework for assessment, the actual process of assessment, how to assess the developmental needs of children and how to assess their parents' and family's capacity to meet those needs.

The contributors are experts from a range of fields and the guide, which was developed by the NSPCC and is published in association with them, is designed to facilitate productive joint agency work. Key topics covered include:

* ecological perspectives on the child and the family

* attachment theory and child development

* assessing families where the parents have a learning disability

* working with children and families from minority ethnic groups

* the effect of sexual abuse within the family on the assessment process

* assessment prior to birth.

Originally commissioned by the Department of Health, and outlining the developments and theory underpinning their Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families this book will be essential reading for qualified and trainee social workers and those completing the Post Qualifying Award in Child Care. It will also be an indispensable guide for psychologists, teachers, health visitors, and any other professionals and qualifying professionals involved in the assessment of children in need.

Di Hart worked for many years as a child care social worker and manager before taking up a post at NCB developing practice with children in public care. She has a particular interest in children in secure settings. Recent work has included a review of the use of physical restraint in children's services, the development of a care-planning model for looked after children who go into custody and a project aiming to improve outcomes for the children of drug-misusing parents.

Yvonne Shemmings is a Continuing Professional Development Specialist and has trained professionals in over 30 child protection organizations. She is a qualified social worker and a senior manager, and her work includes the use of attachment theory in practice. Both David and Yvonne have published widely in the fields of child and adult attachment and child protection.

Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin and associate director of the Children's Research Centre. He has written extensively on child care and foster care.

Gordon Jack has more than 30 years' experience in social work practice, education and research with children and families, and is currently Reader in Social Work at Durham University.

David Shemmings is Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research at the University of Kent. He undertook his PhD in attachment theory, and has spent most of his working life in the field of child protection. David was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2014 for 'Services to Child Protection'.