1st Edition
Working with Children, Families and Young People Professional Dilemmas, Perspectives and Solutions
Bridging the gap between learning and the application of knowledge and skills in Early Years settings, this book addresses the nuanced complexities and challenges which students may face as they progress into professional practice. Built around the experiences of undergraduate students, solution-focussed chapters tackle contemporary issues such as safeguarding, new materialism, reflective practice, and working with refugee children, linking these to theoretical and philosophical models and drawing on undergraduate and practitioner insights.
Providing contextualised examples, insight into key issues, and application of theory to practice, this book offers incisive solutions to support the undergraduate journey into a career, with chapters covering topics such as:
- Best practice as a practitioner creating a caring environment
- Reflecting on practice to cultivate professional development
- Working with and for marginalised children
- Reflective practice
Working with Children, Families and Young People is perfect for undergraduate students on Early Years and Childhood Studies courses, as well as other courses pertaining to working with children and young families, social work, and young communities.
Acknowledgements
Author Biographies
Foreword
Prof. Ian Barron
Introduction
Jim Dobson and Alexandra Melrose
Section I: Navigating the workplace
Chapter 1 Compassionate spaces: Caring for self and others whilst working with children, young people and families
Jim Dobson, Josie Gabi, Jayne Mugglestone and Lindsay Schofield
Chapter 2 Professionalism in Practice
Alexandra Melrose
Chapter 3 ‘Women’s Work’: Gender Discrimination in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
Juliette Wilson-Thomas
Section II: Self-development and building confidence
Chapter 4 Cultivating a critical understanding of child development
Patricia Giardiello
Chapter 5 ‘Managing doubts’ to take safeguarding action
Martin Needham
Chapter 6 Children and Digital Technology: ‘Millennium’ generations to critical undergraduate educators
Steven Naylor
Chapter 7 Constructing Critical Spaces for Creativity
Rajesh Patel
Chapter 8 Reflecting on Practice
Amanda Davis
Section III: Children on the edge: Marginalisation and empowerment
Chapter 9 Precarious Lives: Refugee children’s identity and belonging in the UK Early Years Foundation Stage
Josie Gabi
Chapter 10 Working with Vulnerable Families
Jim Dobson
Chapter 11 Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
Josie Gabi and Alexandra Melrose
Index
Biography
Jim Dobson is a senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Prior to this, Jim worked as a Policy and Research Officer and as a Project Manager for a Local Authority Children’s Services Department. This role involved working closely with Criminal Justice agencies, Social Care, and the Voluntary Sector.
Alexandra Melrose is a senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, and has taught on the undergraduate degree programme for a number of years. Having been a primary school teacher prior to the move to higher education, Alex uses her experiences in that sector to support and develop students' understanding.
