Family Support: Prevention, Early Intervention and Early Help

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.

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

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