Kirjahaku

Working with abused children is a demanding and emotionally charged area of practice in which practitioners must balance sensitivity with statutory obligation. This thoroughly updated new edition emphasises the need for a central focus on the child and their perspectives, to ensure safe and effective work with children and their families. Opening with the foundations of good practice, the book goes on to capture the perspectives of children through moving first-hand accounts from abuse survivors. Woven through with frank narratives from the author's own practice experience, it discusses the importance of assessment and explores interventions through individual, family and group work. Keeping the voice of the child at its heart, this edition features: - All-new chapters on transitions from childhood to adulthood, and on the emotional impact for practitioners in the field, including coping strategies and practice guidance - New perspectives on practice within the context of current policy, including the Every Child Matters legacy and the Munro Review - A range of supportive features, such as points for reflection, practice examples and further reading resources. Since the first edition in 1989, the rhetoric and terminology on safeguarding children have changed beyond recognition. Yet the need to understand and accommodate the abused child's perspective remains. Working with Abused Children therefore continues to be a valuable resource for students, educators and practitioners working within this challenging field.

The inspiration for much of my writing comes from my direct work with abused children and their families. However, I was prompted to write this book by my experiences as a lecturer in child protection training for a variety of pro­ fessional workers. I realized from the anxious questions asked and feelings expressed that, despite the fact that many professionals are unlikely to encounter a high incidence of child sexual abuse cases in the course of their careers, the subject is one that provokes considerable concern, confusion and distress. While front-line investigative personnet -such as child care social workers, specialist police officers, police surgeons and paediatricians -have a number of anxieties about working with child sexual abuse cases, they can usually avail themselves of specific training, detailed books and articles and the support of experienced colleagues to help sustain them through any difficulties. It is non-investigating workers on the periphery of child protection work, many of whom are health professionals, who are left feeling worried and vulnerable. They may encounter only one or two cases of child sexual abuse during their careers, and because the numbers they have to work with are small, their employers, perhaps understandably, are reluctant to give them any special training in child protection work.