The Future of Children’s Care

“Working with children and families forms the bedrock of social work in the UK. This collected edition provides a trenchant critique of the McAllister Review, and essential reading for qualifying social workers. It also offers hope for future practice following a rights-oriented trajectory.” Lena Dominelli, University of Stirling

“I know of and respect each and every author in this book. That is testament to the power of their individual and collective voice. Read the truth of their words.” David Anderson, Social Work Consultant

“Incisively critical yet full of hope – I would recommend this book to all children's social care workers and more importantly to the people we aim to serve.”

Fiona Daniels, children's social worker

"A vital critique of unrealistic promises to ‘fix’ children’s services from a range of authors who fully appreciate what is at stake for children and families facing the biggest challenges." Carl Purcell, King’s College London

“The claim has been made that there has been a ‘once in a lifetime’ review of children’s social care in England but this book with its wise, informed and committed contributors confronts key issues which remain contentious at the interfaces between children’s social services, children and families, and the context of political ideology and intentions. It is illuminating and informative and challenging and constructive.” Ray Jones, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, Kingston University

“This book explains why both families and social workers carry feels of terror and failure, and how those feelings are used to control them. It evidences how a much better social care for children is possible – and needs to be read.” Alissa De Luca-Ruane, senior social worker

Robin Sen is Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh and a qualified social worker who has practiced in statutory child and family social work in Scotland. He is also a qualified practice educator.

Christian Kerr is a social worker and Lecturer in Social Work and Social and Community Studies at Leeds Beckett University.

Foreword – June Thoburn

1. Introduction: Critical Perspectives on Children’s Services Reform – Christian Kerr and Robin Sen

2. Where Now? Children’s Rights in England Into the 2020s – Carolyne Willow

3. More of Memes than Schemes: Networked Propagation in Children’s Social Care – Joe Hanley

4. Reclaiming Social Work, the Social Work Complex and Issues of Bias in Children’s Services – Robin Sen and Christian Kerr

5. Humane Social Work Practice: A More Parent Friendly System? Hopes and Challenges in the 2020s – Taliah Drayak

6. Exploring and Re-Imagining Children’s Services in England Through a Decolonial Frame – Isobel Drew, Rebekah Pierre and Robin Sen

7. Kinship Care for England and Wales in the 2020s: Assumptions, Challenges, and Opportunities – Paul Shuttleworth

8. If Adoption Is the Answer, What Was the Question? – Avery Bowser

9. Caring for Children and Young People in State Care in the 2020s – John Radoux

10. Protecting Children: A Social Model for the 2020s – Brid Featherstone and Anna Gupta

11. Conclusion: Children’s Services Reform Looking Back and Forwards – Robin Sen and Christian Kerr