Leadership in Child and Family Practice

This edited collection situates the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable children as the focus of leadership. It provides a guide to theories and practice of leadership for those who want to make a difference to the lives of these children and their families.

Drawing on the experience of a highly successful postgraduate program in Child and Family Practice Leadership, the book explores the changing context of Child and Family Practice and the role of leadership, in addition to the knowledge and skills required for effective practice. Contributors draw upon their own practice experiences and insights into the most effective ways to support the work of practitioners to achieve the best outcomes for children and families. The content comprises a mixture of theoretical consideration, discussion of original research and interviews with child and family practitioners.

Bringing together contributions from leading specialists and professionals in the field, this book will be essential reading for individual practitioners, organisations and policymakers looking to assist the development of leadership within the child and family practice sector. It will also be of interest to those working in child protection and related workforces.

Margarita Frederico is Professor and Graduate Research Coordinator in Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University, Australia, and Principal Research Consultant Berry Street Take Two Program. She has taught and researched in social work, child protection, child and family welfare and leadership for many years. Her research is applied and translational, and her focus is on contributing to the development of knowledge to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

Maureen Long is a qualified social worker and family therapist who worked in the child and family practice sector as a practitioner and manager for more than 25 years in both the community and public sectors. For the past 11 years, she has taught in the Social Work program at La Trobe University, Australia, where she is a senior lecturer and discipline course coordinator.

Nadine Cameron has been involved in social work, social policy and sociological research and teaching for nearly 20 years. She also co-wrote the groundbreaking book, Social Work and the Body.