This title was first published in 2000: This book provides an exploration of the link between individualized project evaluation and policy analysis. The conceptual and legislative frameworks which contextualize family support are explored in full. By drawing on existing literature and examining the political and legislative aspects of family support the book aims to provide in one volume accessible and up to date information and discussion of key developments within family support, in the UK and internationally as well as within Northern Ireland where the research is set. Five family support settings are selected for close examination by the research and the key evaluation questions applied. The book details the methodology employed and explores exactly how the settings were organized for family support. Additionally the book seeks to identify needs in the context of family support across the range of settings by examining indicators of potential need. Services appropriate to family support were also analyzed across the range of settings. Finally the book reviews the settings against criteria for the evaluation and development of projects considered to be family support.

The delivery of effective family support is a key global child welfare issue, yet there is little consensus on what constitutes family support or what the best ways are to evaluate it. Evaluating Family Support: Thinking Internationally, Thinking Critically offers a full review of the conceptual and operational problems involved in this complex and topical field. Ilan Katz and John Pinkerton have brought together a team of experienced child care policy analysts and evaluators to present the current state of critical thinking alongside detailed international case studies. The chapters offer revealing glimpses into the nature of family support across the world, as well as an overview of the challenges facing both practitioners and researchers.

Understanding Family Support provides a definition of family support and a clear perspective on the role that it has in promoting the welfare of children and their families. Family support is a concept that has been used in a range of ways to describe various aspects of child welfare policy and practice. The authors argue that this weakens family support as an overarching child welfare paradigm. They present a unifying definition of family support along with ten principles and a series of reflective practice questions applicable to: legislation and policy; organisation, management and planning; direct work with children and families; and research and evaluation. This is an important resource for any professional engaged in policy development, service design, delivering or evaluation of family support, including social workers, residential care staff, community development workers, teachers, community police, human services managers, evaluators and policy makers.

The UK Social Policy Process examines the wide range of factors that influence social policies and their outcomes. Devolution, 'modernisation', reform of the public services, emphases on public participation and on 'what works' in the delivery of welfare are all impacting on and shaping social policy. Combining coverage of theoretical perspectives with discussion of institutional change, this book provides a timely examination of the policy process and social policy, from agenda setting to implementation and evaluation.

Family support is an increasingly strategic approach to welfare services for children and families. This book covers core issues in family support. Providing a combination of clear theoretical frameworks and practical guidance this book will assist practitioners in working with families.

'This 'must read' volume will challenge every researcher to re-examine their assumptions and approach to research with families. Munford and Sanders emphasise the positive contribution research can make through the development of an inclusive research process. Their model extends the principles of the action research method by emphasising the contribution of families at each stage of the research, and dissemination of results through an easily assessable 'range of research products'. The thought-provoking case studies articulate the strengths and realities of applying their model in a wide variety of settings in different countries.' - Angeline Barretta-Herman, Professor of Social Work, University of St Thomas 'This book tackles the hard issues which are becoming of vital importance for all researchers. How our research can make a difference to research participants and our communities, and also satisfy the needs of other players, are some of the difficult questions this book addresses. The book's direct approach, and its inclusion of work from around the globe, make it widely applicable.' - Professor Jan Fook, La Trobe University Doing research with families poses particular challenges in social work and welfare. The families are generally clients of social services, and can be in a vulnerable position. Also, it is important that family research contributes to improving practice in clinical and community work. Making a Difference in Families discusses key approaches to research with families, including action research, focus groups and participant observation. Contributors explore both qualitative and quantitative methods, and examine ways in which researchers can involve participants in the research process. Detailed case studies are provided of research in a variety of settings, and with different kinds of family situations.

This substantially revised, expanded and updated edition of the popular Handbook of Theory for Practice Teachers is a comprehensive summary of the theory, knowledge, research and evidence relating to practice learning in social care. Focussing on knowledge-based practice with a focus on improving outcomes, the five sections of the book cover: * the reasons and circumstances in which people may become social work service users * a holistic consideration of assessment in general and specific contexts, including risk assessment and management * methods of intervention, including cognitive behavioural social work, task centred practice, advocacy, crisis intervention, family therapy and group care * the legal, policy, research and evidence context in which assessment and intervention occur, as well as interdisciplinary work and organisational aspects of social work practice * reflective practice, evaluation and evidence based practice as integral parts of social workers' engagement with the complex needs of individuals outside the existing parameters of policy or research findings. This key text is essential reading for students, practitioners and teachers in social work.