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Body of evidence - towards evidence based practice
David Cottrell
This book looks at the evidence base in child and adolescent mental health and looks at the origins and implications of evidence-based practice (EBP). The author defines evidence-based practice and describes what evidence is. Plus, he looks at the benefits and pitfalls.
Afghanistan - supporting displaced children
Wayne Bleier
This author discusses his work in countries such as Yugoslavia, and more recently in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, where the children have been caught up in armed conflict. The children he works with have usually experienced multiple catastrophes. He describes how community leaders are involved in helping these children and the emergency education and child protection programme in Afghanistan.
Care begins at home - reducing the use of in-patient beds
Lesley Hewson
The author states that in Bradford, the development of intensive community and home treatment approaches has resulted in a sustained reduction in the use of adolescent out-of-district beds and has avoided the use of adult psychiatric wards for children under 16.
Code Unknown
Jeanni Barlow
This article discusses the new code of practice for special educational njeds that came into force in January 2002. The author welcomes some aspects of the report, but is disappointed that it doesn’t clarify what actually constitutes a special educational need, an emotional and behavioural difficulty or a mental health problem. She discusses what this lack clarification means in reality.
Inside right
Angela Neustatter
This is the second in a series of two articles about young people in prison. The author looks at some of the alternatives to prison and discusses whether prisons can become caring environments. She states that there is some good work on the way in which young people 15-17 years are treated although these reforms have not been brought in for young people 18 years and over.
Kosovo
Sarah Cudon
This article looks at a project funded by UNICEF and run by Children’s Aid Direct, to help Kosovo’s traumatised young people. The project gives these young people a place where they can express themselves through art, drama and sport. There is a regular mentoring session called the Big Choice where the child works with and develops a relationship with an individual youth worker. There are quotes from some of the young people who use the service.
Under pressure - swimming to the surface
Sam Lyon
The 17 year-old author reflects on the causes of her eating disorder, how the disorder manifested itself, and how she recovered. This article is a shortened version of ‘Well’, a chapter that appeared in the book ‘Young Women Talk About Body Image’.
Opinion: Primary matters
Professor Tim Brighouse
The author comments on how there is a need for a radical overhaul of our approach to primary education. He thinks that the current government has created an imbalanced curriculum with a lopsided assessment regime and that the league tables seriously impact on pupils who are struggling. This group of children often don’t make a satisfactory transition to secondary education. He suggests that there is a need for a balanced curriculum, league tables to be replaced by rating systems, and parental involvement.
Review: Baby shock!
Penny Mansfield
This book looks at the impact of having a baby on a couple’s relationship.
Review: Beautysleep
Richard Hanks
This is a review of Tanya Donnelly’s album ‘Beautysleep’. Her songs describes the wonder and life-affirming excitement of pregnancy and parenthood…. Throughout ‘Beautysleep’ the sweeping music and inspired lyrics add up to an enchanting whole.
Review: Brief counselling in schools
Philip Hewitt
This is a prescriptive book about the role and methodology of the school counsellor. The chapter ‘professional ethics and boundaries in school counselling’ is particularly useful. It covers the law and the counsellor’s role in the context of an increasing legalistic culture. This book is more stimulating than any handbook could hope to be.
Review: Children in secure accommodation
Christopher Cordess
"The primary aim of this book",’ writes the author ‘"is to fill some of the gaps in the knowledge, understanding and effect of placement in secure accommodation, and to provoke thought and discussion on the part of those in secure accommodation and other services for children in the care and criminal justice systems".’
Review: Delbaran, About a boy, and Skin of man, heart of beast
Steve Flood
This is a review of 3 films. Delbaran is an Iranian film, looking at the life of a 14-year-old Afghan boy living on the wrong side of the border in Iran. His father is away fighting for the Taliban, and his mother died in a bombing raid. He has left his sister behind for the relative safety of Iran where he works for a truck driver. About a Boy revolves around the life of 12 year old Marcus, living in Islington, London. He’s bullied at school, and worried about his suicidal mother. Marcus befriends 38 year old Will, who spends his days watching ‘Countdown’ and living off the Royalties of his father’s one hit wonder father’s song. Will joins a single parents’ group looking for a girl friend, pretending he has a 2-year old son, but is soon caught out by Marcus’s mum. Skin of a Man, Heart of a Beast is a French film looks at the violent disintegration of a family through the eyes of 14-year-old Christel and her 5-year-old sister, when their uncle returns after a 15 year absence supposedly with the Foreign Legion.
Review: Holly Starcross
Keshia Harvey
This novel aimed at teenagers is about a girl, Holly, who was snatched by her mother from her father when she was 6 years old. She finds out she is being stalked, and discovers the stalker is her father. Holly has to decide who she wants to live with.
Review: In and out of anorexia
Dr Clare Price
This book recounts one young woman’s experience of anorexia nervosa over a period of seven years, and several different treatment approaches. It is a collaborative work written by Ayelet (the patient), and the therapist who facilitated her recovery. It is unusual in that it presents both personal and professional perspectives of the recovery process, as well as a summary of the theoretical background to treatment.
Review: Me and my shadow
Alexander Dowty
The story of a teenage girl, Emily, whose life is turned upside down when a strange girl begins to stalk her.
Review: Mental health handbook for schools
Brian Heron
The central section of this book offers a brief description and analysis of the common mental disorders found in children and young people, working in each case through a set format – issues of diagnosis, treatment, the teachers role etc. Some of the books aims are over ambitious but the reviewer still recommends it.
Review: Mixed feelings
Jenny Svanberg
This book looks at interracial relationships and the roots of racism in the UK. It looks at the conflict in social expectations and pressures for young people growing up in a multi-cultural society, and how they identify themselves.
Review: Postnatal depression
Wendy Richmond
A book based on the experiences of 24 women whilst they were pregnant and during the baby’s first year. It describes the pressures they felt under with the changes in their own identity and difficulties regarding health professionals. There is a chapter on the debate between professionals and researchers about what post-natal depression actually is.
Review: Sex and your teenager
Wendy Richmond
This book has advice in how to start a conversation about sex, how to advise about contraception, how you deal with what you may consider to be an unsuitable choice, tackling it as a lone parent, as a step parent and much more. It also includes first hand accounts from parents and teenagers.
Review: Stop arguing and start understanding
Chris Dodd
An American book that promotes a no-blame, non-violent approach to parenting and family healing. It is based on the principle that every person deserves a healthy family, anyone can change for the better, and one determined parent can effect changes.
Webwatch: School surfing
Paula Lavis
This column looks at websites of interest to teachers and their students. It covers sites that give information around educational policy, and sites that provide practical information that can be used in the classroom.
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