School and educational achievement is dependent on many complex factors and is usually seen as the key outcome measure by which school effectiveness can be judged. Originally published in 2000, this book aimed to establish whether or not educational achievement can in part be ascribed to the quality and range of home–school links. It provided a timely contribution to the continuing debate at the time on the pivotal relationship between schools and the families which form their constituenci...

In the late 1980s positive interaction between home and school in education was receiving attention from politicians, parents and teachers. It was thought that by listening to parents, teachers might gain insight into the ways in which they could work more effectively with children and their families.Originally published in 1988, this book was of great practical value. It draws upon the authors’ work over the previous decade to explore the links between listening to the parental pe...

Originally published in 1997, the purpose of this collection was to raise the profile of the valuable work that was being done with minority ethnic parents and families in many different settings and circumstances. Contributors discuss issues and concerns and illustrate the range, scope and variety of provision and practice at the time. The collection will be of interest to those with a special responsibility for working with black and bilingual parents in schools and other agencies, and a...

First Published in 1996. This book forms part of a series that brings together wide-ranging contributions which: are written from both professional and parental viewpoints; offer an assessment of what has been achieved; explore a number of problematic issues and experiences and illustrate developments that are beginning to take shape. It will appeal to those with a special interest in and commitment to home-school work in all its actual and potential facets. This book, like the series it i...

The social work degree requires that students clearly demonstrate competence in working with groups. Many social work students will begin working with families, communities and organisations before they qualify and are regularly assessed on this groupwork practice through assignments and observation. Specialist skills are needed to cope in challenging groups and the authors look at how students can develop their existing skills to cope and respond to challenges.The practical focus ...

Social Work: The Basics is an insightful introduction to the often misrepresented world of social work. This accessible book presents a broad view of contemporary social work, exploring its roots and its possible future. It dispels myths surrounding social work, addresses media debates, and offers a balanced account of what social workers do. The book argues for a social work that is partisan in support of social justice. Questions covered include:How did social work...

Bullying in the workplace is now a recognised problem, and a cause for major concern. Victims stand to lose their self-esteem, their health and even their careers. Organisations that do not endeavour to put an end to this behaviour lose productivity, profits and their good reputations.Dignity at Work is derived from the author's many years of experience working with organisations of all sizes and at all levels. This book outlines practical guidelines essential to organisati...

The growing older people population and their increasing needs for care is now presenting significant difficulties to both national government and local authorities because of constriction of formal caregivers and family units. Inevitably a change of this magnitude within the complex system in which older people services operate everywhere attracts a range of responses from the very enthusiastic to the very dismissive and hostile response. Thus, family directed support care system would pr...

School leadership and management are fundamental components of school improvement. This is the first study of its kind to relate the principles of effective leadership to the broad spectrum of school life in Ireland.A key resource for school leaders in their personal and professional study, this book critically appraises issues in leading and managing schools. The editors bring together an array of renowned scholars to inform and stimulate the debate on the future of leadership dev...

Offers key knowledge on theories of early learning and child development to support trainees in developing their role and skills as Early Years Teachers.

At a time when education is considered crucial to a country’s economic success, recent UK governments have insisted their reforms are the only way to make England’s system world class. Yet pupils are tested rather than educated, teachers bullied rather than trusted and parents cast as winners or losers in a gamble for school places.Education under siege considers the English education system as it is and as it might be. In a highly accessible style, Peter Mortimore, an author with ...

The number of children entering the child protection system has risen dramatically in the last three years with implications for children's services and partner agencies. This timely volume takes a critical look at the impact of the Munro Review (2011) on child protection and the Government's response. It looks at questions including how effective Local Safeguarding Children Boards are in providing the necessary scrutiny to ensure children are safe, how the early offer of help at local lev...