Perceptions and Realities in Residential Child Care
What Do We Mean by Collaborative Practice?
Understanding Ethics in Collaborative Practice
Understanding Organizations and Groups in the Context of Collaborative Practice
Social Workers and Residential Workers
The Key Collaborative Relationship
Inter-Professional Collaboration
Working with Health and Education Professionals
Positive about Parents
Working in Partnership
Collaborating with Children and Young People
Conclusion
Children Tell it Like It Is

`This excellent book faces the difficulties of residential child care with integrity. The emphasis on collaboration is both timely and important since it is a major theme in the training of social workers in the UK, where this book will be a valuable resource' - Andrew Hill, University of York

Residential Child Care is an innovative book which addresses the specific context of modern residential child care whilst promoting collaborative practice within a wider social work setting. The book analyses the collaborative role of organisations, field workers, parents, teachers, and children, and stresses how these interprofessional relationships are crucial to ensuring children's wellbeing.

Residential Child Care: Collaborative Practice:

" is founded on fundamental social work principles, values and ethics;

" encourages collaborative practice by identifying how each professions' roles differ;

" seeks to dispel 'barriers' that inhibit effective collaboration;

" draws upon examples of good practice;

" includes views and experiences of children and young people;

" integrates relevant aspects of the social work Benchmark statement.

Comprehensive and accessible, the book includes learning outcomes, activities, and case studies to help aid students' understanding. The book successfully balances its theoretical context with a focus on practice, making it an invaluable resource for students and practitioners. It is useful for social work and social care students, trainee residential workers, and professionals who have an interest in working with looked after children.