Judith Masson – författare

The Issue of how assets are distributed after death is of increasing significance for larger numbers of people. In this original and path-breaking study, the authors examine the principle means through which people plan to dispose of their assets after death: by the use of wills. By offering an empirical study of 800 English wills, the book identifies significant patterns of bequeathing among a cross-section of the population, and not just among those sections of society who enjoy substantial wealth. This leads us to focus upon what wills tell us about the family and kin relationships, and upon how people transmit their assets across generations: to their families and to institutions and organizations.

The book is based on two research projects on emergency intervention, which were carried out by the author and her colleagues. The studies provide the basis for the three themes in the book: Inter-agency Working; Perceptions of Safety; and Placement and Resource Issues. The combination of quantitative and qualitative research allows a detailed picture of practice that goes beyond an account of what happens, to explore the perceptions, understandings and experiences of the practitioners who make these decisions, as social workers, police officers magistrates’ legal advisers or magistrates, and of the lawyers who advise social workers and parents. The book provides a critical account of current practice in emergency child protection, it identifies good practice and make proposals for reform.

The book is based on two research projects on emergency intervention, which were carried out by the author and her colleagues. The studies provide the basis for the three themes in the book: Inter-agency Working; Perceptions of Safety; and Placement and Resource Issues. The combination of quantitative and qualitative research allows a detailed picture of practice that goes beyond an account of what happens, to explore the perceptions, understandings and experiences of the practitioners who make these decisions, as social workers, police officers magistrates’ legal advisers or magistrates, and of the lawyers who advise social workers and parents. The book provides a critical account of current practice in emergency child protection, it identifies good practice and make proposals for reform.

The system of representation where children and young people areprovided with both a social work guardian ad litem and a specialistsolicitor is widely regarded as a model of excellence. However,until now, information about the system and its advantages hastended to neglect the views and experiences of the childrenconcerned. Based on a unique research study, Out of Hearinginvestigates the representation service from the child sperspective. Observations of representatives meetings with theirchild clients and separate interviews with the children and theirrepresentatives paint a disturbing picture of the isolation ofchildren at a time of immense stress and upheaval. Feedback fromchildren about what they considered helpful or unhelpful in theactions of their representatives; their views about reading, or notseeing, court reports about themselves; and their feelings aboutgoing to court, or being excluded from its proceedings, conveypowerful messages to the professionals and practitioners seeking tohelp them. Drawing on these experiences, the authors offerrecommendations for practice and policy to enable children s viewsto be heard more effectively. Providing fresh insight into therepresentation service, Out of Hearing is essential reading forsolicitors, guardians ad litem, social workers, judges,magistrates, policy makers, and academics. It will also be ofinterest to children s rights organisations, young people andcharities. "Whatever one may make of the conclusions of the report, what itundeniably does is paint a very graphic picture indeed of theimpact of the process of care proceedings upon children. For thisreason (if for no other) it should be read by all childcare lawpractitioners." Philip Thomson Head of Legal Services, Essex CountyCouncil "The views and aspirations of the children really do shine through;their concerns and their agendas are set out clearly andilluminated vividly." Anna Faulkner Formerly Panel Manager, Innerand North London GALRO Panel

First published in 1999, this volume is a collection of essays focused on the theme of partnership with parents in social work practice with children and families. It covers issues relating to the quality of care and preparation for aftercare, particularly children’s identity needs and preparation for life after care which are highlighted in the Quality Protects programme. It developed from an action research project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and conducted by the editors a Warwick University between 1993 and 1996. Through teaching activities associated with the implementation of the Children Act 1989 the editors became aware that there were many parents who had lost contact with both their child and their child’s social workers after their child had entered the care system. These were the ‘lost’ parents of the study. Partnership with parents has become an integral part of social work with children and families living together or apart. Inevitably it concerns many other people involved in the care of children and providing advice to individuals. Partnership permeates all aspects of relationships between parents, children and those providing care in place of parents. Consequently, the issues discussed in this book are of relevance to all those working directly or indirectly with children, parents and other relatives. Amongst these are social workers, family placement workers, carers and residential workers, team managers and policy makers in local authority social services departments, guardians ad litem, court welfare officers and lawyers acting for children or parents, children’s rights officers and advisers working in voluntary agencies which support families and children.

First published in 1999, this volume is a collection of essays focused on the theme of partnership with parents in social work practice with children and families. It covers issues relating to the quality of care and preparation for aftercare, particularly children’s identity needs and preparation for life after care which are highlighted in the Quality Protects programme. It developed from an action research project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and conducted by the editors a Warwick University between 1993 and 1996. Through teaching activities associated with the implementation of the Children Act 1989 the editors became aware that there were many parents who had lost contact with both their child and their child’s social workers after their child had entered the care system. These were the ‘lost’ parents of the study. Partnership with parents has become an integral part of social work with children and families living together or apart. Inevitably it concerns many other people involved in the care of children and providing advice to individuals. Partnership permeates all aspects of relationships between parents, children and those providing care in place of parents. Consequently, the issues discussed in this book are of relevance to all those working directly or indirectly with children, parents and other relatives. Amongst these are social workers, family placement workers, carers and residential workers, team managers and policy makers in local authority social services departments, guardians ad litem, court welfare officers and lawyers acting for children or parents, children’s rights officers and advisers working in voluntary agencies which support families and children.

This comprehensive international study provides a cross-national analysis of different understandings of errors and mistakes, as well as lessons to avoid and how to handle them in child protection practice, using research and knowledge from 11 countries in Europe and North America. Divided into country-specific chapters, each examines the pathways that lead to mistakes happening, the scale of their impact, how responsibilities and responses are decided and how practice and policy subsequently change. Considering the complexities of evolving practice contexts, this authoritative, future-oriented study is an invaluable text for practitioners, researchers and policy makers wishing to understand why child protection fails – and offers a springboard for fresh thinking about strategies to reduce future risk.