Margaret Crompton – författare

At the centre of Margaret Crompton’s book, originally published in 1980, stands the child as client. The book is concerned with the constraints on social workers and their very real difficulties in coping with the children on their caseloads. Means of making contact and establishing helpful relationships with the child are discussed with a wide range of examples reflecting different circumstances and different objectives. The author makes a powerful case that social work with children at risk is vital if they are to grow into mature adults.The book will be of interest to studies of social work who will find their own problems illuminated by the discussion and detailed case histories.

Originally published in 1990, Attending to Children was written for all those working with children in a variety of social work and health care settings. Drawing on the experience of many different social and health care workers, and from a range of literature including textbooks and magazines as well as adult and children’s fiction, the author concentrates on the dilemmas, needs, activities and practice of working with and caring for children.Part 1 introduces some of the agencies engaged in working with children; Part 2 focuses on the beginning and end stages of such work; Part 3 discusses such aspects of communication as fear, trust, truth, love, meaning and awareness; and Part 4 examines non-verbal and everyminute communication.

Originally published in 1992, this book presents aspects of children and counselling which are of great importance but (at the time of original publication) had received little attention on courses and in practice. The underlying theme is respect for and attention to the whole, individual child, within the context of relationships (including that with the counsellor). ‘Children’ and ‘counselling’ are interpreted broadly, with relevance for students and practitioners within the social, health and medical, educational and voluntary counselling services.The book introduces the idea of a ‘childist’ approach to counselling, followed by some ideas of counselling and the difficult concept of empathy. Privacy, silence and spiritual aspects of children and counselling are explored. Four means of communication – myth, story, art and music are presented. The book ends with a vignette of counselling in action.Material is drawn from the experience of the author and representatives of several professions, and such literature as autobiography, writing for and by children and professional text from such disciplines as counselling, education, history, nursing, philosophy, psychology and social work.

Originally published in 1982, this book guides social workers towards treating difficult 15-year-olds and explores some of the difficulties which prevent the helping adult from making any effective contact with the person in trouble; not the least of which are society’s labels like ‘promiscuous’ or ‘delinquent’. The book gives voice to a number of young people through their own writing and their conversations with the author. Social workers too, have contributed to a startling book which highlights qualities without which social work is a waste of time: trustworthiness, respect and genuine concern.

Attention to children’s spiritual and religious well-being is required by legislation, Government guidelines and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989. Margaret Crompton has worked with and on behalf of children as a social worker, lecturer and writer. Her recent publications include Children and Counselling and a training pack, Children, Spirituality and Religion. This jargon-free book develops and adds to those ideas and materials, focusing on everyday practice in social work, education and health care. Reference is made to several religions and to ideas about spirituality, which is not necessarily associated with religious belief and observance. Practitioners’ experience is also cited. Topics include, spiritual and religious rights, spiritual development, needs and well-being, implications of religious beliefs and observances for daily life and care, abuse and neglect, death, including suicide and abortion and communication, including stories and play.

Attention to children’s spiritual and religious well-being is required by legislation, Government guidelines and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989. Margaret Crompton has worked with and on behalf of children as a social worker, lecturer and writer. Her recent publications include Children and Counselling and a training pack, Children, Spirituality and Religion. This jargon-free book develops and adds to those ideas and materials, focusing on everyday practice in social work, education and health care. Reference is made to several religions and to ideas about spirituality, which is not necessarily associated with religious belief and observance. Practitioners’ experience is also cited. Topics include, spiritual and religious rights, spiritual development, needs and well-being, implications of religious beliefs and observances for daily life and care, abuse and neglect, death, including suicide and abortion and communication, including stories and play.