Family Support: Prevention, Early Intervention and Early Help

Nick Frost is Professor of Social Work (Childhood, Children and Families) at Leeds Beckett University Shaheen Abbott is a Social Worker for Leeds City Council Tracey Race is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Leeds Beckett University

Family Support introduces and explores the state of the art in preventative social work with children and young people. Drawing on contemporary thinking and research, the book aims to make a contribution to current debates about how we can best support families in need.Underpinning the book is an analysis of how family support is changing, having moved from 'prevention' through to contemporary debates about 'family support', 'early intervention' and 'early help'. The authors draw on their own practice experiences to ensure the discussion remains highly relevant to everyday realities.The book consists of three parts: Part I examines the history and context of family support; Part II outlines a number of practice approaches to family support; and Part III suggests how family support work can be further developed. The book provides 'think points' and case studies to support the reader in reflecting on the material presented and how this can be best applied, as well as including a guide to useful resources.Family Support will be a welcome companion for anyone involved in child welfare and safeguarding services, including students at undergraduate and post-graduate level, practitioners, policy makers and academics.

IntroductionPART ONE: Understanding Family SupportChapter One. The Historical, Social and Political Context of Family SupportChapter Two. The Contemporary Policy Context of Family Support: Conceptualizing Family SupportChapter Three. Researching Family Support: Process and OutcomesPART TWO: Delivering Family SupportChapter Four. Community-Based Projects: The Universal Provision of Family SupportChapter Five. Home Visiting: A Key Process in Providing Family SupportChapter Six. Parenting Education: A Universal or Targeted Service?Chapter Seven. Targeted Approaches: The 'Troubled Families' InitiativeChapter Eight. Relationship-Based Family Support: An Underpinning Approach to Family SupportChapter Nine. Family Group Conferences: Involving and Empowering FamiliesPART THREE: Overarching Issues in Developing a Sustainable Approach to Family SupportChapter Ten. Multi-Disciplinary Working: Holistic Work with Families and ChildrenChapter Eleven. Developing the Family Support WorkforceConclusion: Family Support Past, Present and Future