Quality Matters in Children's Services: Messages from Research

This work brings together two types of studies carried out at different times between 2001 and 2007, exploring critical concerns for those working with vulnerable children, young people, and their families. Studies commissioned under the Quality Protects research initiative, launched in the UK in 1998, examine how the objectives of the Quality Protects program are translated into practice. Also presented are studies funded by the Department of Health, which have informed the development of the Quality Protects program and have contributed to its ongoing evaluation. Each chapter begins by summarizing key issues from earlier literature and recent policy developments, then outlines the main findings of the study, gives individual and organizational case examples, and addresses implications for policy and practice. Discussion questions consider issues at the strategic, operational, and practice levels. Some specific topics are kinship care, educating difficult adolescents, reunification, and parental substance misuse. An appendix provides the researchers' summaries of each project. The book is for practitioners and senior staff involved in developing quality children's services. Stein is a research professor in the Social Work Research and Development Unit at the University of York, UK. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mike Stein is a research professor in the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York. He has researched the problems and challenges faced by young people leaving care for 25 years. He contributed to guidance and training materials on leaving care for the Children Act 1989 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. He has published extensively in the field and has been consulted by government, local authorities and voluntary organisations on the development of leaving care services in the UK and internationally.