Liesl Conradie is the Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Studies at the University of Bedfordshire. She is a professionally qualified youth worker who has worked with children, young people and communities in England and in South Africa. She is also an associate lecturer for The Open University on the youth work degree.Tyrrell Golding is a Youth Work Lecturer at The Open University. She has extensive experience of working with young people and communities, both in England and abroad, and writing and delivering youth work training programmes.

"This book does exactly what it says on the label. Readers are provided with important theories and concepts regarding child development, youth and adolescence. The authors promote the concept of reflective practice and offer a series of ideas and issues to reflect upon. Each chapter summarises key points raised and provides recommendations for further reading. This book will be an invaluable first text for anyone thinking about working with children and young people." Kate D'Arcy, University of Bedfordshire "This book will be useful to both students and practitioners. It considers relevant theory and research, such as child development, social construction of childhood and national and international law. It will be useful to both those who want to understand more, and those who want to develop their practice when working with children and young people." Jennifer Colloby, The Open University

• Part One: Contextualising work with children and young people;Introduction to working with children and young people;National and international policy for childhood and youth;Social construction of childhood and youth;Child and adolescent development;Part Two: Working with children and young people;Key skills needed for practice;Working with the early years (from birth to age five);Working with children (aged six to 11);Working with young people (aged 11 to 19);Working with all children and young people;Conclusion.

Liesl Conradie is the Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Studies at the University of Bedfordshire. She is a professionally qualified youth worker who has worked with children, young people and communities in England and in South Africa. She is also an associate lecturer for The Open University on the youth work degree.Tyrrell Golding is a Youth Work Lecturer at The Open University. She has extensive experience of working with young people and communities, both in England and abroad, and writing and delivering youth work training programmes.

"This book does exactly what it says on the label. Readers are provided with important theories and concepts regarding child development, youth and adolescence. The authors promote the concept of reflective practice and offer a series of ideas and issues to reflect upon. Each chapter summarises key points raised and provides recommendations for further reading. This book will be an invaluable first text for anyone thinking about working with children and young people." Kate D'Arcy, University of Bedfordshire "This book will be useful to both students and practitioners. It considers relevant theory and research, such as child development, social construction of childhood and national and international law. It will be useful to both those who want to understand more, and those who want to develop their practice when working with children and young people." Jennifer Colloby, The Open University

• Part One: Contextualising work with children and young people;Introduction to working with children and young people;National and international policy for childhood and youth;Social construction of childhood and youth;Child and adolescent development;Part Two: Working with children and young people;Key skills needed for practice;Working with the early years (from birth to age five);Working with children (aged six to 11);Working with young people (aged 11 to 19);Working with all children and young people;Conclusion.

Liesl Conradie is the Course Coordinator and Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Studies at the University of Bedfordshire. She is a professionally qualified youth worker who has worked with children, young people and communities in England and in South Africa. She is also an associate lecturer for The Open University on the youth work degree.Tyrrell Golding is a Youth Work Lecturer at The Open University. She has extensive experience of working with young people and communities, both in England and abroad, and writing and delivering youth work training programmes.

"This book does exactly what it says on the label. Readers are provided with important theories and concepts regarding child development, youth and adolescence. The authors promote the concept of reflective practice and offer a series of ideas and issues to reflect upon. Each chapter summarises key points raised and provides recommendations for further reading. This book will be an invaluable first text for anyone thinking about working with children and young people." Kate D'Arcy, University of Bedfordshire "This book will be useful to both students and practitioners. It considers relevant theory and research, such as child development, social construction of childhood and national and international law. It will be useful to both those who want to understand more, and those who want to develop their practice when working with children and young people." Jennifer Colloby, The Open University

• Part One: Contextualising work with children and young people;Introduction to working with children and young people;National and international policy for childhood and youth;Social construction of childhood and youth;Child and adolescent development;Part Two: Working with children and young people;Key skills needed for practice;Working with the early years (from birth to age five);Working with children (aged six to 11);Working with young people (aged 11 to 19);Working with all children and young people;Conclusion.