Respecting Children

Margaret Crompton’s degree in English Literature (Leeds University) and post-graduate qualifications (Bristol University, London School of Economics, Home Office Letter of Recognition in Child Care) have equipped her for a lifetime of varied opportunities and experience. In social work, she was assistant warden of a Settlement in London’s East End, then childcare officer and senior in Leeds Children’s Department, and the first childcare advisor in the new Social Services Department; later, in Lincolnshire, guardian ad litem, and specialist developing life-story work.As a lecturer in Social Work in two universities, (Bradford 1972–4; Newcastle upon Tyne 1974–9), she initiated courses on direct work with children. Respecting Children developed from realising that while her husband, John, was training education students to teach pupils, the nearby hospital was treating patients, and her students were concerned with children in trouble or in care – clients. Three roles: one child. Respecting Children focuses on communication, rather than settings, symptoms or issues.A government commission to prepare training materials for social workers led to a new focus, her book Children, Spirituality, Religion and Social Work. As an independent consultant, other commissions enabled her to pioneer ideas and practice about children’s spiritual well-being within social work and care, health/medical services, and education.

Original Reviews of Respecting Children: 'The book is rich in ideas and illustrations to help us imagine more accurately how the world may look to a particular child, and also suggests numerous avenues by which we may, with respect, try to enter that world...As well as using illustrations from field and residential social work Margaret Crompton draws imaginatively on extracts from education, play therapy, psychiatry, and from autobiography and fiction. These are always made relevant and brought back to what is possible and practical for the social worker...the whole book is about preparing children for adulthood. It is an immensely compassionate book, full of wisdom, humour and practical good sense. It should be of particular to students and generically trained social workers...' Pamela Mann, Adoption and Fostering, Vol 102, No. 4 (1980)'Margaret Crompton writes about a centrally important area of work... namely the social worker’s role in communicating directly with children rather than working ‘for’ them...This is an enthusiastic book, full of the excitement, pain, joys and pitfalls of getting alongside children. Its main strength lies in its sharing of experience by a sensitive, committed practitioner...I view this book as essential reading for social workers and those of many other disciplines who work with children.' Lynette Hughes, Journal of Adolescence, Vol 4 (1981)'...each chapter is designed to be read as a separate piece as well as a constituent of the whole...a welcome addition to the literature on social work.' Asha J Rane, Indian Journal of Social Work (1981)'Margaret Crompton’s Respecting Children is an inspiration; readable, sensitive and alive with the youngsters with whom we have to work.' The Times Educational Supplement (1981)

• Part 1: Communication Between Adults and Children 1. Often Difficult 2. Always Vital Part 2: Ways of Communicating 3. Play Social Worker 4. Words About Words 5. Of Books and Bibliotherapy 6. Notes on Notes 7. Talking Pictures 8. Keep in Touch Part 3: Being Together 9. ‘The Whole Place Was Part of the Playing’: Family Service Units (FSU) Children’s Groups 10. ‘Not by Treatment But by Love’: The Northorpe Hall Trust Part 4: Post Script 11. Peace and Silence.