Foreword Vikram Patel, Senior Psychiatrist, WHO.

Introduction:

A Note from the Authors.

1. Severe Mental Illness.
2. Treatment and Support.
3. Risk Assessment and Management.
4. Working with Dual Diagnosis.
5. Introducing Personality Disorder.
6. Working with People who Self-Harm.
7. Conclusion.
8. Appendix:
9. Introducing the Mental Health Act.
10. Subject Index.
11. Author Index.

Shattered Lives, Children Who Live with Courage and Dignity

Author: Camila Batmanghelidjh

ISBN: 101843104346

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £13.99

Publication Date: May 2006

Publisher’s Advance Information

Shattered Lives bears witness to the lives of children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and highlights the effects of early traumatic episodes. Chapters take the form of letters to a child capturing their life experiences, hugely impacted by sexual abuse, parental substance misuse and loss, leading to feelings of shame, rejection and worthlessness. Batmanghelidjh offers understanding for those baffled by these hard-to-reach children and warns against stigmatizing them for their problem behaviour. In her critique of existing structures, she exposes the plight of children who are overlooked by the authorities and denounces those who value bureaucracy over the welfare of the individual child. Society’s failure to acknowledge the truth of their experiences and act to change the environment in which such mistreatment can flourish is, she strongly argues, leading to the death of childhood. The book is a clarion call for change.

‘I wanted my letter in the book because I want the council and people who care for kids to know the truth.’ Chardonnay

‘Having Camila write to me in that way was a truly amazing experience. There are no words to describe the feelings that my letter provoked. My chapter brought about a profound sense of closure.’ Daisy

Previous Reviews

‘This wonderful bombshell of a book is a sustained, honourable and timely paean of fury on behalf of the children whose murdered childhood haunts and damages us all. In these circumstances "neutrality is offensive" from all professionals and indeed adults who disguise the real level of pain they witness in children for the sake of easier research, policy, relationship with peers and superiors.’
Valerie Sinason, PhD, MACP, MInst Psychoanal, FRSA, child psychotherapist and adult psychoanalyst

 ‘Camila Batmanghelidjh is a remarkable woman, a child who grew up to fight for children and childhood. This is a truly remarkable book. We must all ensure that it becomes life changing. Politicians should read it with a view to examining why and how we let children fall between the cracks of societal aspiration, legislation and protection, to be damaged and then do damage to others. Public servants should read it to remember why they exist. As parents we should read it and then love and understand our children a little better in the future. Read it and weep. Read it and resolve that we must do better. If it was hard to write and at times hard to read, imagine what it was to live.’
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty (the National Council for Civil Liberties)

‘It’s so clear, it hurts.’
Ruby Wax

 ‘I can’t remember ever having been so affected by a book about the country I live in. Each child you write about tells me something new about the kids I see on the street.
Danny Kruger, Chief Leader Writer, The Daily Telegraph

Contents

Introduction. 1. The Witnessing. 2. Introduction to Therapeutic Thinking. 3. Exploring the Impact of Sexual Abuse - Letter to Chardonnay. 4. Shame - Letter to Daisy. 5. Adaptive Violence - Letter to Mr Mason. 6. Psychosocial Vulnerabilities Leading to Violence - Letter to Rocky. 7. Cradled in Terror - Children’s Capacity to be Violent. 8. Legitimizing Neglect - Letter to Flower. 9. Parental Addictions - Letter to Julie. 10. Letter to Deny, Cry and Try. Conclusion. Appendix 1: The Basic "Who’s who?" of the Therapy World. Appendix 2: Substance Misuse: A Tourist’s Guide.

REVIEW

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In contrast to other books, this book captures a wide range of experiences of abuse and neglect in the form of letters to children and its theoretical underpinnings are psychotherapeutic. Such an approach is consistent with the author’s background and action in establishing two children’s charities.  The book is helpful in the range of experiences it covers and in drawing out commonalities and differences between them.

The book is clear, that we have to guard against judging children’s behaviour out of the context of their experiences, which we will frequently find are interconnected.  Many professionals respond to children’s externalising and internalising behaviour as problematic and thus the emphasis is on containment and the attribution of responsibility for their behaviour.  Such an approach is stigmatising and adds to the child’s victimisation experience.  We have to move to an approach which sees their behaviour as being the product of their abuse and the understanding of the origins of the behaviour is the key to helping it be understood as well as changed.  Much of children’s problematic behaviour is reactive to their abuse experiences.  The author captures many other deficits in the processes and activities of the response systems and professionals and articulates well how these compound the original harm and also fuel the victim’s sense of injustice.  Many children do not see their abusers held accountable for their behaviour, yet they are held accountable for their reactions to it.  Such a distorted focus is a key problem in the current criminal justice system, which looks at criminal acts rather than the social dimensions that contribute to or fuel the behaviour under investigation. This means that the best outcome is containment not cure.  All these messages are supported by a range of emotive letters that address the spectrum of harm experienced by children and it is clear that the letters have impacted on the author and she relays this clearly to us to consider. You cannot help but be moved by the accounts and the sense of frustration at the response systems, although I would have liked to have seen a differentiation between genuine bad practice and resource constraints, which truly limit what professionals would like to do but cannot.

Children deserve the best and the practice message of this book is honest and realistic - put children first, reach out and understand the experiences of abuse and the impact it has on their subsequent life path, as well as counting the costs to the individual and wider society of not doing so.

The book does offer more than letters to victims. It articulates well the concept of therapeutic thinking and how it acts as a magnet for different professionals and approaches and she also provides a useful 'who's who' of the therapy world. This book is a must for staff working with abused children and it should be read and re-read to ensure that we capture the detail of the messages she seeks to convey so we can apply them regardless of constraint.

Martin C Calder

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Constructive Work with Offenders

Author: Edited by Kevin Gorman, Marilyn Gregory, Michelle Hayles and Nigel Parton

ISBN: 1843103451

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £18.99

Publication Date: January 2006

Advance Title Information

Constructive Work with Offenders offers a challenge to many of the assumptions of criminal justice policy and the dominant approaches to practice.

The contributors advocate an emphasis on constructive work with offenders that harnesses their positive strengths and resources, and offers inclusive approaches to effective offender assessment and intervention. Taking a fresh look at much received knowledge, they proclaim that constructive work with offenders is both possible and increasingly warranted, and encourage practitioners to develop new skills and adapt existing expertise to the rapidly changing requirements of the criminal justice system.

This book will be of interest to practitioners, trainers, managers, and researchers in the criminal justice system, as well as academics and students in the field of criminology and related disciplines.

Kevin Gorman is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, where he contributes to degree courses in Applied Criminology, Social Work, and Police Studies. He was a probation officer for over 25 years and has been heavily involved in practice development and practice teaching, including the training of probation officers. Marilyn Gregory teaches in crime, abuse and public protection at the University of Sheffield, having spent 16 years in the Probation Service. She worked as a main grade officer in a former mining community; as a prison based officer; a court welfare officer, and as a specialist practice teacher, teaching students initially on the Diploma in Social Work and latterly the Diploma in Probation Studies. Michelle Hayles is a Senior Lecturer in Community Justice at the University of Huddersfield where she has leadership responsibilities for the BSc (Hons) in Applied Criminology and for an innovative Foundation Degree in Police Studies. She worked for 12 years as a probation officer in a range of community contexts and in a women's prison, and she managed a Home Office Student Training Unit. Nigel Parton is Professor in Child Care and Director of the Centre of Applied Childhood Studies at the University of Huddersfield. He has a particular interest in the area of child protection. He was co-editor of the journal Children and Society for ten years and co-edited Constructing Clienthood in Social Work and Human Services (2003), also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Contents: Acknowledgements. Contributors. Prologue, Jeremy Cameron. 1. Constructive Work with `Offenders': Setting the Scene, Kevin Gorman, Patrick O'Byrne and Nigel Parton. 2. Collaborative and Constructive Frontline Practice with Offenders in a Climate of `Tough Love' and `Third Way' Politics, Bill Jordan. 3. The Offender as Citizen: Socially Inclusive Strategies for Working with Offenders Within the Community, Marilyn Gregory. 4. Constructing Safety: A Collaborative Approach to Managing Risk and Building Responsibility, Michelle Hayles. 5. The Constructive Use of Courtroom Skills and Enforcement to Achieve Client Co-operation and Change, Geoff Kenure. 6. Constructing a Convincing Narrative: The Art of Persuasive Storytelling within the Tight Constraints of Formal Pre-sentence Assessments for the Criminal Courts, Kevin Gorman. 7. Dangerous Constructions: Black Offenders in the Criminal Justice System, Lena Dominelli. 8. Constructive Work with Women Offenders - A Probation in Prison Perspective, Sue Carless. 9. Constructive Work with Male Sex Offenders: Male Forms of Life, Language Games and Change, Malcolm Cowburn. 10. Dispensing With Justice: Young People's Views of the Criminal Justice System, Monica Barry. 11. Offenders `R' Us, Marilyn Gregory with Kevin Gorman, Michelle Hayles and Nigel Parton. Epilogue, Jeremy Cameron. Index.

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Review

This book stresses the importance of providing constructive work with offenders and ex-offenders and to develop the positive abilities and resources of such individuals in order to prevent future offending. It also emphasises providing practitioners who help prisoners and ex-prisoners by developing expertise in promoting offenders’ capacity to work within society without offending.

The contributors to this book come from universities while others have been involved with probation work and social work for many years. One contributor Geoff Kenure is a self-employed coach and teaches specialising in court practice. He was also for 37 years in the probation service. Nigel Parton, one of the editors, is currently Professor in Child Care and Director of the Centre of Applied Childhood Studies in the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

The book commences with a humorous Prologue by Jeremy Cameron and ends with his Epilogue. Ex-prisoners or offenders are viewed as disadvantaged when dealing with day to day occupational requirements and other social expressions of responsibility.

Bill Jordan in his chapter "Collaborative and Constructive Frontline Practice with Offenders in a Climate of "Tough Love" and "Third Way" Politics", makes a very sensible statement at the end of his chapter:

"Constructive practice might seek to reduce the impact of these factors on" (i.e. competitiveness and success) "disadvantaged offenders, by recognising and valuing their cheerfulness, optimism and friendship skills, rather than constantly confronting them over their failures and weaknesses."

Another author Marilyn Gregory in her chapter on "The Offender as Citizen:......." points out that whether we like it or not the offender is still a member of society and a citizen. Again the emphasis needs to be on constructive and practical approaches to helping offenders find a place in that society. There is still a tendency to dehumanise an offender who has been released from prison as an ‘alien’ or ‘predator’ in society and such labels could well make such individuals live up to that label. Michelle Hayles in her chapter on "Constructing Safety:......." points out an important principle:

 "Very few of us, are wholly harmless or wholly dangerous. We are a composite of individual and cultural narratives in which our relationship with dangerousness and indeed altruism shifts according to time and context.  Humans are not dangerous or altruistic but dangerous and altruistic."

An interesting chapter by Lena Dominelli "Dangerous Constructions......." judges black offenders in the criminal justice system by remarking what is perhaps not so well known:

"Black people of African and Asian descent constitute 6% of the British population but form 25% of the prison inmates."

This book is rich in research into a great variety of criminal aspects including criminals in the courtroom. It is likely to be of particular value to those working with the courts: Probation Officers, Forensic Psychologists, Social Workers and others.

Dr L F Lowenstein

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Domestic Violence and Child Protection

Directions for Good Practice

Author: Edited by Cathy Humphreys and Nicky Stanley

ISBN: 1 84310 276 5

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £18.99

Publication Date: January 2006

Advance Title Information

How do you respond simultaneously to the needs of adults experiencing domestic violence and the specific needs of their children? Domestic Violence and Child Protection explores the challenges of working effectively in this complex field and offers positive models for practice.

Leading practitioners and researchers outline the essential safety considerations for children, adult victims and child protection workers, and stress the importance of children's experiences, using children's own words to describe their diverse needs. The contributors offer examples of good practice in prevention, intervention and recovery, drawn from international settings. They highlight new directions for policy and practice, and consider whether these might be achieved through increased communication and coordination between agencies, or by developing multiprofessional agencies that are able to offer integrated responses. Individual chapters address child abduction, legal issues concerning child contact arrangements, and dealing with abuse in the context of divorce.

Including perspectives from social services, health services and the voluntary sector, this book is a valuable source of information and ideas on how to work safely and sensitively with children living with domestic violence and will be a key reference for social workers, health professionals and policy makers.

Cathy Humphreys is a senior lecturer in Health and Social Work at the University of Warwick. She has worked as a practitioner, researcher and educator in domestic violence and child abuse. Cathy's other research areas include substance misuse, mental health, outreach and advocacy services for both women and children, and child contact. Nicky Stanley is Professor in Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire. She is a qualified social worker with experience in family social work and mental health. Nicky is Co-Editor of Child Abuse Review and her research interests include domestic violence, child care, mental health and risk.

CONTENTS

Introduction, Cathy Humphreys, University of Warwick and Nicky Stanley, University of Central Lancashire. Part 1:  Defining the Issues and Setting the Scene. 1. Relevant Evidence for Practice, Cathy Humphreys. 2. Multi-Agency and Multi-Disciplinary Work: Barriers and Opportunities, Cathy Humphreys and Nicky Stanley. Part 11: Children's Views and Needs. 3.  What Children Tell Us: ‘He Said He Was Going to Kill Our Mum', Audrey Mullender, University of Oxford. 4.  Prevention Programmes for Children and Young People in the UK.  Jane Ellis, University of Warwick, Nicky Stanley and Jo Bell, University of Central Lancashire. 5.  Listen Louder: Working with Children and Young People, Claire Houghton, Violence Against Women Unit, Scottish Executive. Part III: Protecting Women and Children. 6.  Asking about Domestic Violence: Implications for Practice, Marianne Hester, University of Bristol. 7.  ‘Point of Contact' Front-Line Workers Responding to Children Living with Domestic Violence, Jan Breckenridge, University of New South Wales, Australia, and Claire Ralfs, Relationships Australia. 8.  Using Research to Develop Practice in Child Protection and Child Care. Elaine Farmer, University of Bristol. 9.  Damned If You Do and Damned If You Don't? The Contradictions between Private and Public Law, Christine Harrison, University of Warwick. 10.  Child Abuse and Domestic Violence in the Context of Parental Separation and Divorce: New Models of Invention, Thea Brown, Monash University, Melbourne. Part IV: Working with Perpetrators. 11.  Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment and Safety Planning in Child Protection - Assessing Perpetrators, Lorraine Radford, Roehampton University, Neil Blacklock and Kate Iwi, Domestic Violence Intervention Project, London. 12.  Are Men Who Use Violence Against Their Partners and Children Good Enough Fathers?  The Need for an Integrated Child Perspective in Treatment Work with Men, Marius Rakil, Alternative to Violence, Oslo. 13. Confronting the issues of child abduction. Denise Carter, Re-unite, International Child Abduction Centre, UK. 13. Men's Use of Violence and Intimidation Against Family Members and Child Protection Workers, Brian Littlechild and Catherine Bourke, University of Hertfordshire.  The Contributors. References. Indexes.

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Review

The editors stress the relationship between domestic violence among adults and its effect on children. They have selected as contributors leading persons dealing with domestic violence and its effect on children. The book consists of 4 parts. The first part seeks to define the issue of domestic violence and the agencies involved in the form of a multidisciplinary team to deal with some of these problems. Part 2 concerns itself with the feelings and views of children who are often a part of, and surrounded by, the domestic violence of adults, most often their parents. Part 3 deals with how to protect women and children from the ordeal of having to suffer from domestic violence. The final part deals almost exclusively with the perpetrators of domestic violence. These are usually men but are from time to time women as well. Since the main victims are women there is some uncertainty in the minds of these women as to whether they should stay with their abusive partner for the sake of children or not. There is also some uncertainty as to whether domestic violence is also associated with violence against children.

The leading international practitioners involved in contributing to this book have concentrated on examples of good practice in the prevention and intervention as well as recovery from domestic violence. There is an emphasis on involving multi-professional agencies to deal with various aspects of abuse within families which affect children directly or indirectly.

Cathy Humphries, one of the editors, is a Reader in Health and Social Work at the University of Warwick and Director of the Centre for the Study of Safety and Well-Being. Nicky Stanley, the other editor, is Professor of Social Work at the University of Central Lancashire. She is a qualified Social Worker with experience in families, social work, and mental health. She is also Co-Editor of Child Abuse Review.

Domestic violence is most likely to occur when there is considerable hostility between the partners, especially when the relationship is breaking up. Sometimes this can be linked to child abuse but not always. Practitioners in the field are required to carry out risk assessments to protect children surrounded by such domestic violence. Virtually all the contributors to this book stress the importance of addressing the needs of children in the context of domestic violence.

The voices of children are represented in part 2 of the book indicating how children suffer from witnessing the abuse that occurs around them. This includes coercion and threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, isolation, using the children, economic abuse etc. One set of contributors emphasise the importance of preventing problems within the home setting. It is vital for practitioners to work both with mothers, children and the alleged perpetrator, very often the father.

One of the contributors emphasises learning from a considerable amount of research that has been carried out in the area of child protection and risk assessment. There is an emphasis on training social workers to deal with domestic violence situations and  to get the violators to confront their difficult and aggressive behaviour, especially when this is also associated with substance abuse and alcohol and drug misuse. A number of authors emphasise the need for safety for the child having contact with a formerly aggressive parent following risk assessment.

This book is likely to be of value to Social Workers, Teachers, Psychologists, Probation Officers and most especially those working with families in conflict, that is those carrying out risk assessments with children.

Dr L F Lowenstein

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Cannabis and Young People (Reviewing the Evidence)

Edition: 1st

Author: Richard Jenkins

ISBN: 978-1-84310-398-1

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £16.99

Publication Date: 2006

The subject of this book, the use of cannabis by young people was of particularly interest to myself as I have carried out research into the effects of cannabis on the psychological state of individuals, especially when used intensively over a long period of time.  An article concerning this was published.  I have also had the opportunity of dealing with young people who have used cannabis and alcohol and treated their problems in a therapeutic community and school.  For some time it was felt that cannabis had no adverse reactions and was no worse than alcohol.  Recent evidence has however indicated that the intensive long term use of cannabis can act as a precursor to severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

The book is divided into nine sections.  The first part is an introduction to cannabis and its terminology.  This is followed by patterns of cannabis use including the prevalence of use by young people and the likely result of dependency.  The author also investigates young people’s views on cannabis and their perception of its harmfulness or harmlessness in some cases.  The association of cannabis and tobacco, as it is generally smoked in this way, is also researched by the author.

The author predicts what occurs when cannabis is used regularly and what occurs when it is no longer used.  The psychosocial functioning which sometimes ends in psychosis and depression as well as lack of educational attainment and antisocial behaviour are also scrutinised by the author.  Frequently individuals who use cannabis combine this with other substances.

Chapter seven considers the prevention and treatment of the problem and chapter eight examines the importance of a policy regarding the status of cannabis.  The final chapter concerns itself with concluding comments.  It is particularly useful that each chapter has a summary which presents the major arguments made by the author.

In recent times there has been some uncertainty of how to classify cannabis.  It had been reclassified as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drug Act 2004 (Home Office, 2005).  This also led to maximum penalties for its use and abuse being reduced from 5 years to 2 years imprisonment.  For very young people, with which this book is concerned, there is normally an arrest and a formal warning or reprimand.

It is clear from the book and other evidence in recent surveys, that the number of cannabis smokers seeking hospital treatment for mental illness has shot up despite claims that there is little evidence linking the drug to psychosis.  Most recent newspaper reports reveal that parliamentary figures show a 54 % increase in hospital admission of cannabis users suffering psychotic episodes.  Despite this, the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, decided not to reverse his decision to downgrade cannabis from a Class B to a Class C, in line with the advice form the advisory council on the misuse of drugs.

The book reports that the latest finding of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (HBSC) concludes from samples from Europe and North America that a considerable number of youngsters have tried cannabis.  3 % of this sample were considered to be heavy users of the drug.  Some evidence also suggests that in young users blacks predominate.

The current danger is that cannabis is viewed as not being as dangerous as many other illicit drugs.  One comment in the book, concerned with young people’s views, indicates that those who do not use the drug are aware of the potentially harmful effects on health and the possibility of becoming addicted as well as getting into trouble with parents and the school.

Studies have been carried out to assess what the predicted aspects related to cannabis use are.  These include daily smoking, use of alcohol, being involved in a peer group, truanting and being expelled and unhappy at school.  There is also an association with anti-social behaviour, low religiosity, and conduct problems.  This naturally leads to poor educational performance, and frequently mental illnesses such as psychosis and depression. 

Unfortunately the book reports that little efforts have been made to treat the problem and to prevent it from spreading to other youngsters.  The main interventions at present appear to be behavioural, cognitive behavioural, involving the family, and seeking to develop motivations to avoid the continued use of cannabis.

The book carries out a survey of how different countries approach the problem such as in the United States, Holland, and Australia.  This small book provides a considerable amount of very useful information for those who are involved in seeking to develop programs for the prevention and treatment of cannabis use.  This includes parents, teachers, therapists, the police, and many other bodies in society.

Dr L F Lowenstein

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Culture and Child Protection: Reflexive Responses

Authors: Marie Connolly, Yvonne Crichton-Hill and Tony Ward

ISBN: 1 84310 270 6

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £16.99 RRP UK

Publication Date: November 2005

Publisher’s Title Information

Providing services that are culturally relevant is an ongoing challenge for practitioners, managers, and policy-makers within the social services.  Culture and Child Protection is a concise exploration of the close links between social service practices and cultural values which offers a culturally sensitive model of child protection practice.

The authors demonstrate the ways in which a combination of personal, professional and societal attitudes often influence practice decisions.  In a context where children from ethnic minorities dominate the welfare statistics of the Western economies, the authors argue against a reliance on rigid approaches to working with particular ethnic groups. They propose effective alternative strategies that will assist social workers in responding appropriately to diverse cultural needs and circumstances.  Implications of cultural difference are also considered with respect to class, socio­economic group, gender and age, reinforcing the need to recognise broader interpretations of difference within practice.  This book is full of integrated examples and case studies and also discusses wider practice issues, such as working with offenders, the impact of funding restraints and the dynamic of reflexivity in practice and supervision.

Culture and Child Protection is a key text that will help social workers and culture academics to understand the ways in which cultural thinking affects and shapes child protection practice.

Dr Marie Connolly holds the position of Chief Social Worker within the New Zealand government.  Until recently she was Associate Professor and Director of the Te Awatea Violence Research Centre at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. She has published four other books including Effective Participatory Practice: Family Group Conferencing in Child Protection and New Zealand Social Work: Contexts and Practice. Yvonne Crichton-Hill is a New Zealand-born Samoan and is a lecturer with the Department of Social Work at the University of Canterbury.  She has extensive experience of working in the areas of child protection social work and youth justice, and in particular work with Samoan families.  She is committed to the development of practice models that are responsive to cultural values and experience.  Yvonne has previously published in the area of cross-cultural practice and ethnocentric explanations of domestic violence.  Dr Tony Ward is Professor in Forensic Psychology in the Department of Criminology, and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Melbourne.  He has extensively published on male sex offending, and, with D. Richard Laws and Stephen M. Hudson, recently edited Sexual Deviance: Issues and Controversies.

Contents: Preface.

Part One:

Culture and Child Protection Work.

l. Culture, the Client and the Practitioner in Child Protection Work.

2. Culturally Reflexive Responses in Abuse Work.

3. Ethnic Culture, Child Protection and the Professional Environment.

Part Two:

Working with Cultures in Child Protection.

4. Childhood Cultures, Care and Protection Work.

5. Family Cultures and Protecting Children.

6. Cultures of Risk, Offending and Good Lives.

7. Culturally Reflexive Theory and Practice in Child Protection.

8. Further Thoughts.

References.

Index.

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Review

There has been an increasing emphasis in Great Britain on providing services including those from social services for child protection based on cultural factors. The objective of this is to provide a service that is culturally sensitive. Such a practice would of course be wrong if it is in excess and fails to consider social integration of minorities  in Great Britain. Both need to go hand in hand. Cultural diversity, while it has certain advantages also has some disadvantages in that there is a lack of unity or feeling that one is a member of the predominant society in the country and that culture. There must be respect for both cultural difference and adherence to some semblance of a unified society, this being British.

Dr Marie Connolly, one of the contributors has the position of Chief Social Worker within the New Zealand Government. Yvonne Crichton-Hill is a New Zealander also born in Samoa and is a Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the University of Canterbury. She has worked for much of her life in the area of child protection. Dr Tony Ward is a Professor of Forensic Psychology in the Department of Criminology and an Ajunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Melbourne.

The book is concentrated on working with children, families and offenders. It consists of two major parts. The first considering culture and child protection work under which is considered the child and how to protect that child, cultural factors in response to abuse of children and ethnic aspects to child protection. The second part is concerned with working with cultures in child protection. It considers the child/children, families and cultures and how best to protect children from the wrong practices.

The book has been written for both practitioners and researchers in the domain of child protection. It is also concerned, as previously mentioned, with offenders against children and such offenders are viewed in a compassionate light since very few actively seek to hurt children, albeit their offences against children are likely to be damaging. The aim of the book is to contribute positively towards the protection of children, families and improving the relationship of children, families as well as offenders against children. The actors within the book are a trilogy consisting of the child, the protectors and the abusers. The book is concerned with being both child focused and focused on larger aspects surrounding the child including the family and the culture in which that child is reared.

The final chapter of the book points to a number of theories which tend to amalgamate cultural aspects and good child care procedures. The book emphasises the dynamics of child, family and cultural interactions. It is a book which is likely to appeal particularly to social workers whose work is predominantly with families of multiple cultures.

Dr L F Lowenstein

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Understanding Street Drugs A Handbook of Substance Misuse for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals

Edition: 2nd edition

Authors: David Emmett & Graeme Nice

ISBN: 1-84310-351-6

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £17.99 RRP UK

Publication Date: 2005

This fully updated edition of the essential reference Understanding Drugs provides a complete overview of the key facts and core issues surrounding substance misuse. All commonly-used street drugs are covered, with quick reference guides, helpful diagrams and clear information on each drug's effects, methods of use, legal status, availability, treatment options and associated slang. This edition includes new sections on ketamine, ‘date-rape' drugs, and over-the-counter opiate-based drugs, and recent findings on the long-term effects of cannabis and its potential medicinal use, and discussion of the legalisation debate.

This comprehensive handbook is an essential reference for teachers, social workers, youth workers, residential home managers, policy makers and parents, enabling readers to recognise drug misuse and confidently offer information and guidance.

Praise for the first edition:
‘Now and then a book hits the market that gets it just right. This publication is written in a clear, jargon-free style, making it an easy, interesting and informative read... This book should be on every reading list.'
- Nursing Times'

‘This book not only provides information about drug types, but also...indicators of drug use and dealing with drug related incidents, providing the reader with information on what to look out for and what to do... a must for all adults working with young people and parents.'
- Psychiatric Care'

‘Understanding Drugs provides a wealth of information... It is particularly well set out for quick and easy reference... I wholeheartedly recommend it.'
- British Journal of Guidance and Counselling'

‘Drugs in all their forms, both medical and recreational, are examined in this accessible book, presented in a balanced way. The authors both have considerable experience... If you want to understand more about drugs; to be able to give young people accurate and sensible information; to help someone who is involved in drugs; or to formulate a policy on substance misuse...this is an excellent place to find out.'
- Health Visitor'

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Review

The first edition of this book was published in 1996 and it is both very fitting and timely that a second edition has been produced ten years’ later.  This is due to the major changes in the landscape regarding the misuse of drugs in this country and this has been very capably described in this latest edition.  As the introduction in chapter 1 explains, drug usage has soared in the UK, particularly the misuse of cocaine which has become very affordable and generally accessible in recent years.  The introduction also mentions the very large number of cannabis users in this country and highlights the mental health and other problems associated with this drug.  Despite these well-established concerns, the government reclassified cannabis from Class B to Class C in January 2004 (and not 2003 as stated in the book).  This move still attracts widespread controversy as well as fierce criticism.  However, the introduction to this book also looks at the positive side where it states that the government has introduced new treatment and other services, although it warns that the fight against the misuse of drugs must continue on both an individual as well as a collective basis in order to dissuade or divert young people from being drawn into the drug culture.  A particularly impressive feature of the introduction is the way that it takes a non-judgemental view of the current drugs scene.  Whilst not compromising the clear message that substance abuse constitutes the biggest single danger in modern society, it acknowledges the vast difference between the current drug climate and the era when the authors were young.  The general vulnerability of young people regarding drug misuse is the cause of increasing concern, and very positive and practical suggestions are subscribed in the introduction to this book that provide some light at the end of the tunnel.  It also rightly warns against complacency which could make the difference between the success or failure of the existing campaign against drugs.

Chapter 2 provides a brief history of drug use and a snapshot of the current drugs situation, and does so in a very precise and well-focused manner.  In the eight pages devoted to this chapter, the overall historical and present context of the misuse of drugs is very clearly outlined.  From this point onwards the book then proceeds to Part 1. This consists of essential information on the most well-known street drugs, and each drug, or group of drugs, is covered under separate chapters.  The substances covered are cannabis, amphetamine, methylamphetamine, cocaine, crack and freebase cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, ketamine, magic mushrooms, heroin, methadone, solvents, nitrites, tranquillisers and sleeping pills, anabolic steroids, over-the-counter and prescription only medicines, Rohypnol and GHB.  The format in which each drug is covered begins with a quick reference guide that provides a synopsis of the more detailed coverage that follows.  This consists of the source of each drug, its forms and appearance, how the drug is marketed, its cost, the legal position, methods of use, effects of use, adverse effects, tolerance potential, habituation potential, withdrawal effects, overdose potential, street names, and slang expressions associated with the use of the drug.  The coverage of these points is very clear, well-ordered and easy to follow.  The absence of jargon and the essential focus on the main issues makes this a highly accessible text for a very wide market. There are, however, a few errors in Part 1 of this book regarding the legal position of some of the drugs.  First, it is stated that if amphetamine or methylamphetamine are prepared for injection, simple possession of them will carry a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment.  The maximum penalty for ordinary possession of a Class B controlled drug that is prepared for injection is, in fact, seven years, because it automatically becomes Class A. Secondly, the maximum penalty for simple possession of cocaine is stated as 14 years’ imprisonment whereas it should read seven years.  Thirdly, there is an error in respect of the benzodiazepine products that are listed under schedule 4. It is stated that it is not an offence to possess them, even without a prescription.  This has not been the case since 1^st February 2002, when schedule 4 was revised so that most of the benzodiazepines and a few other Class C drugs, were placed under Part 1 of schedule 4, and the anabolic steroids were placed under Part 2.  At the same time, unauthorised possession of Part 1 of schedule 4 drugs became unlawful, whereas simple possession of the steroids under Part 2 did not, provided they are in the form of a medicinal product.  However, bearing in mind the complexity of the law governing controlled drugs, as well as its ever-changing nature, such errors are easily made.    

Part II of this book contains six chapters that provide invaluable information to anyone who needs to understand the wider issues affecting the misuse of drugs.  Chapter 12 describes the signs and symptoms of substance misuse and this is followed by chapter 13 that lists physical evidence of possible drug or substance misuse.  The management of drug-related incidents is covered in chapter 14, and this has been compiled in a particularly clear and thorough manner.  Important step-by-step advice is given in this chapter, assisted by several useful flow-charts. The comprehensive nature of this book has been further enhanced by the information contained within chapter 15.  This provides a useful coverage of the main reasons for drug and substance misuse as well as details of treatment that is available.  The language of drug and substance abuse is covered under chapter 16 that usefully lists a substantial range of street terminology for drugs and their usage; this compliments the information listed under the individual drugs in Part 1 of this book. Chapter 17 is entitled The Legalisation Debate and focuses mainly on the debate concerning cannabis in this context.  Many well-directed arguments are subscribed in this chapter that repudiate a number of fallacies and myths put forward by the pro-legalisation lobby.  This aspect of the book has been presented with great clarity, and is particularly thought-provoking and convincing. This publication ends with two appendices. Appendix 1 provides a useful checklist for those intending to formulate a substance misuse policy, and Appendix 2 contains a list of useful organisations.

This book is highly recommended to all professionals and lay-persons, who need to have a good all-round knowledge of street drugs.  The clear and user-friendly style in which it has been written makes this publication very approachable as well as interesting. In addition to numerous charts and diagrams, this book also contains very useful photographs that all promote a clearer understanding of the relevant subject-matter.  It will also be particularly useful to the police service as a whole, as well as specialised squads.  The very comprehensive nature of this book will be invaluable to most police officers on operational duties in view of the size and scope of drug misuse in society.  The only suggestion for improvement of this excellent publication is that in future editions, it may be useful to include a chapter devoted to the issue of drugs on premises. Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 makes it an offence for occupiers or managers of premises to permit or suffer (in other words, allow), a range of drug activities to occur within those premises.  It seems likely that more prosecutions may be brought against persons under section 8, as this aspect of the Misuse of Drugs Act is designed to compel controllers of premises to self-police such places.  Although this aspect of the law is covered briefly in chapter 3 with regard to the smoking of cannabis, the wide scope of section 8 really needs to be covered in relation to the other drug activities within its remit.

The misuse of drugs in this country, and beyond, continues to attract continuing debate. If we are to avoid a complete catastrophe caused by this destructive trend, it is essential to maintain the fight against this activity using a balanced strategy of education, prevention, treatment and law-enforcement.  This book could well prove to be a significant tool in helping many to achieve this objective.

Leonard Jason-Lloyd

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Young People in Care and Criminal Behaviour

Author: Claire Taylor, Foreword by David Smith

ISBN: 1 84310 169 6

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £19.99

Publication Date: October 2005

Press Release

Society holds a popular perception that links children in public care with criminal activity, but this connection is largely assumed. This book addresses the lack of evidence supporting this potentially damaging assumption.

It begins by analysing past research, critically examining current policy and combining theoretical insights from the disciplines of childcare and criminology in order to form a theoretical framework for research. The empirical evidence of thirty-nine interviews with young people who have been through the care system is then drawn upon to highlight key findings and conclusions about the relationship between care and crime, and the implications towards current policy.

Addressing issues such as:

• Residential care experience

• Developing secure attachments in the context of care experiences of education

• Life after care, these powerful examples show the flaws, failures and successes of the various childcare services by offering insight into the reality of young peoples experiences.

This book is highly relevant to new legislation and the current political agenda, and will prove an eye-opening read for policymakers and practitioners in the fields of child care and criminology, social workers, and students of social work, social policy and criminology.

Claire Taylor is currently working in the area of crime reduction. She has previously worked at the universities of Nottingham and Lancaster. This book is based upon her doctoral research undertaken at Lancaster University.

CONTENT'S:

Acknowledgements.

Foreword, David Smith, Lancaster University.

Introduction.

Part 1: Setting the Scene.

1. What do we know about experiences of care - and after?
2. The current policy climate.
3. Introducing the research study Part II: Young Peoples' Experiences.
4. Exploring the residential care experience.
5. Developing secure attachments in the context of care.
6. Experiences of education.
7. Life after care: Coping with independence. Part III: Conclusions.
8. Key findings and implications for policy and practice.
9. References.
10. Index.

Potential Readership includes:-

Policymakers and practitioners in the fields of child care and criminology, social workers, and students of social work, social policy and criminology.

Particular Points

•            Unprecedented government attention towards young people in care makes this title highly topical.

•           New Perspective - A wealth of new material has been published relating to aspects of public care system, however the relationship between care and crime remains neglected.

Forward-Looking - Offers pointers to future research, and recommendations for policy and practice in an increasingly dynamic current policy climate.

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Review

There has been considerable evidence that young people in care, for whatever reason, appear to be more likely to be involved in delinquency and later criminal behaviour.  As one who has himself run a therapeutic community and school for problem children, I was very much aware of the fact that many of the youngsters sent to my centre were likely to commit acts of delinquency and criminality in later life, unless something was done of a vital nature to redirect their attitudes and behaviour in a socialised direction. Many of the youngsters that I dealt with were in care and heading towards delinquency.

This book in fact asks the question: “Is there a proven link between criminal activity and children in public care?”  The book suggests ways that might be developed to provide such youngsters with a more positive experience whilst in care.  The author also suggests there has been a lack of systematic enquiry into the question of care for children and how this could lead to later criminal activities.  The book provides examples about the powerful evidence revealed when 39 young people were interviewed, who had passed through the care system.  The evidence shows the frequent lack of care they receive afterwards and the system failing to provide them with the skills for adapting to life.

The author Claire Taylor is a Lecturer in Criminology in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at Lancaster University.  She highlights the relationship between ‘being in care’ and crime and how certain specific ‘care’ experiences are likely to promote rather than to prevent criminal activities.  The author states the book is essential reading for policy makers, practitioners and students in the field of child care, criminality and social work.

Professor David Smith, Professor of Criminology at Lancaster University suggests that this book should be read not only by academics and researchers but those in the field of child care and especially those who are responsible for policies in connection with children likely to be placed in care.   I would add to this that it would also be a useful book for those actually caring for children such as foster parents, those who adopt children, and for those who work in schools or therapeutic communities for problem children.

 Professor Smith emphasises how negative experiences in care contributes to criminal involvement. Much depends on the quality of care received as to whether children go astray into criminality.  It is vital for such children to develop an attachment for a caring adult and to identify with such a positive adult.

A study in 2002 by Hazel et al., found that 41% of children in custody had at some time in their lives been in care.  This of course indicates that 59% of youngsters have not been in care. It indicates that a good proportion of young people in care are looked after in such a way as to deal with their problems or prevent their problems from developing into delinquency.

There are many variables involved as to how children will progress, including the aftercare they receive. Dedicated foster parents or those who adopt children can make a big difference as to the course which such troublesome children will take.  Many youngsters, certainly in my own experience, have been passed from one placement to another with each one being a failure.  Such youngsters are especially vulnerable.  Children in care often reside in children’s homes, and as already mentioned special schools and therapeutic communities. Once they have left school they are often placed in lodgings and if they are already in trouble end up in secure units. Part 2 of the book is of special interest as it deals with the interviews of young people who are or who have been in care.

The author states that there is a need for a diversity of care experiences depending on the needs of the child.  Of vital importance is that whoever deals with such youngsters has a caring attitude but also emphasises firmness whenever necessary and arranges or provides good personal education.  All these aspects lead to the development of self-esteem, which is likely to be a way of curtailing and preventing living lives of an antisocial nature.

What is not recognised is that after leaving care, preparations for living and care must not end totally for these young people who may well be unable to cope with the vicissitudes of life.  Hence after-care support is vital as noted by the author.  This book is an essential read for those in social services and most especially those making policies for children in care and after-care.

L F Lowenstein

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Children and Young People in Conflict with the Law

Author: Stewart Asquith

ISBN: Paperback 1-85302-291-8,

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price £16.95 RRP UK

Publication Date: 1996

Introduction, Stewart Asquith, Centre for the Study of the Child and Society, University of Glasgow. 1. Preventing Youth Crime in High Crime Areas - Towards a Strategy, Jon Bright, Crime Concern. 2. Social Crime Prevention - Juvenile Delinquency, Francis Bailleau, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Paris. 3. Children's Hearings and Children in Trouble, Janice McGhee, Lorraine Waterhouse and Bill Whyte, Department of Social Work, University of Edinburgh 4. The Organisation and Functioning of Juvenile Justice in England and Wales, John Graham, Research and Planning Unit, The Home Office, London. 5. Children and Violence: Trauma in the American War Zone, James Garabino Family Life Development Centre, Cornell University, and Kathleen Kostelny, Erickson Institute. 6. Female Offenders in Scotland: Implications for Theory, Elaine Samuel, Centre for Social Welfare Research, University of Edinburgh, and Kay Tisdall, Centre for the Study of Child and Society, University of Glasgow. 7. The Community Based Alternative: Intermediate Treatment for Young Offenders, Alex Robertson, Department of Social Policy, University of Edinburgh, and Derick McClintock, Late Professor of Criminology, University of Edinburgh. 8. Secure Units, Paul Littlewood, Department of Sociology, University of Glasgow. 9. Restorative Juvenile Justice: A Way to Restore Justice in Western Systems, Lode Walgrave, Professor of Juvenile Criminology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

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Reviewer Wanted

Would you be interested in reviewing this book? (The Book Above) If you are interested in providing a review in about 600/800 words within 3 months then please contact me by e-mail at robjerrard@aol.com providing a small CV and your interest in this particular book.

For an indication of what is required please see this site, which contains hundreds of examples. "Internet Law book Reviews" welcomes all categories of reviewers.

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Conduct Disorder and Behavioural Parent Training

Research and Practice.

Edition: 1st

Author: O’Reilly, D.

ISBN: 1 84310 163 7

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Price £17.95 RRP UK

Publication Date: 2005

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Press Release

"An excellent, scholarly, but essentially practical book. Salute. One to keep at your elbow." -from the Foreword by Professor Brian Sheldon.

Progress made with children with conduct disorder in specialist schools often does not transfer to the home, but this book shows how behavioural parent training and applied behaviour analysis can help professionals work with parents to continue improving their child's behaviour.

Conduct Disorder and Behavioural Parent Training provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of conduct disorder and the individual, familial and social factors that influence the development of persistent antisocial behaviour. The author presents thorough evidence for the effectiveness of the following aspects of behavioural parent training:

•            compliance training

•            encouraging good behaviour through praise, enthusiasm and attention

•           using `time out' as an effective punishment technique transfer of improvements to school setting

•           effects of treatment on the child's siblings.

He considers the relative impact and costs of different settings for parent training, and outlines ethical issues and future directions for research in this area.

This book is essential reading for all professionals involved in the care of children with conduct disorder, as well as psychology and social work students and academics.

Points to Note:

•            Evidence-based - behavioural parent training techniques have been rigorously evaluated

•            Professional context-outlines how to integrate applied behaviour analysis into social work practice

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Review

It is difficult to open a newspaper in recent days without seeing reports detailing the difficult behaviour of young people in school and within society.  Hence this book is especially timely as the practice of rearing children and living with adolescents has become problematic, although it appears more so today than in the past. 

The book has been based on research conducted for a postgraduate degree at the School of Social Work, Queens University, Belfast.  Research is based on an intensive study of eleven families.  The book is divided into two parts, the first being the theoretical background to the second part which consists of the implementation of behavioural parent training.  Each part in turn is based on a number of chapters and each contains a very useful summary of that particular chapter.

The foreword by Professor Sheldon of the University of Exeter summarises the attempt made by the author to put into practice theories that have for some time been accepted with disturbed families.  The emphasis is on doing rather than compiling further theoretical premises and then checking on the efforts made in what was done. 

As one who has himself run a therapeutic community and school for over twenty years in Hampshire dealing with very disturbed children whose schools and families could not cope with them, I was particularly interested in assessing the content of this book.  Much like the author, I feel that much can be done to help youngsters who have troubled backgrounds and whose behaviour makes them appear antagonistic towards socialised living.  I am pleased therefore to see the publication of this work especially as my own work and its content have not yet been successfully published.

The style of this book is also of value since it is easy to understand and should appeal to social workers, nursing staff, and teachers, especially those teaching in schools for problem children (I refuse to use the term ‘learning problems’, and prefer to use the term ‘maladjusted children’).  Hence the book is both scholarly and practical but the emphasis is on practice more than theory.  The book considers where difficult or problematic behaviour originates, this being from the many factors such as family, peers, and society itself, while attempting to promote techniques which will oppose persistent antisocial behaviour.  The emphasis is on compliancy training of children and encouraging positive parenting practices which reinforce good behaviour through attention, praise, and other positive methods.  The book is of especial value to psychologists working within the educational system. 

Sample recording sheets are provided in the appendix of the book which uses similar techniques to those that I have used which provides antecedence to difficult behaviour and the consequences of such behaviour.

The emphasis of the book is on behaviour parent training (BPT).  The main aim of training parents is to positively reinforce pro-social child behaviour.  Applied behavioural analyses involves classical conditioning, operant conditioning and modelling.  The earlier that conduct disorders can be dealt with the easier it is to resolve such social and related deficits in young people.  The objective of BPT is to help parents to train their youngsters within the home setting.  This involves assessment, treatment, and follow-up.  The parents are encouraged to practice positive parenting styles, avoid coercive discipline and promote compliance training.

It is book which should be read by all those seeking to improve the behaviour of children and consequently society in the future.  The books particular contribution is that it involves parents intimately in focusing on their children and seeking to make a difference in their behaviour which is favourable.

Dr L. F. Lowenstein, M.A.,DIP.PSYCH.,Ph.D.
EDUCATIONAL, CLINICAL AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTANT
Chartered Psychologist

The Author

Dermot O'Reilly is the Principal Social Worker at Lucena Clinic (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), County Wicklow, Ireland. He has 20 years' experience of working with families of children and adolescents who present with a broad range of behavioural and emotional problems, and has trained as a family therapist.

Market: Health and social care professionals working therapeutically with children and their families. Students of general, clinical and educational psychology, as well as social workers, health visitors, nurses and teaching staff.

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Managing Sex Offender Risk

Edition: 1st

Author: Edited by Hazel Kemshall and Gill McIvor

ISBN: 1 84310 197 1

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley

Price  £17.95 US $28.95

Publication Date: September 2004

Publishers Title Information

`Managing Sex Offender Risk looks at the current statistical rise in known cases of sexual offences towards women and children. Paedophilia has become a growing problem, and this growing issue is not always recognised. Managing Sex Offender Risk highlights the problems of identifying and punishing sex offenders. This book assesses various methodologies and approaches to dealing with sex offenders and assuring that they do not relapse after intervention. Managing Sex Offender Risk concludes by looking at community based action plans for dealing with the protection from and prevention of sexual crimes on minors, and gives the statistics behind sexual crimes related to minors.'

- childRIGHT

Based on key research into assessment, treatment and recidivism, this book offers practical guidance on improving intervention techniques with sex offenders. The contributors explore the monitoring and surveillance strategies and cognitive-behavioural techniques currently used both in prison and in the community, and give clear directions for future practice. Providing a detailed overview of the typologies and characteristics of offenders, they suggest strategies for managing different kinds of offender, including children and young people who are sexually aggressive.

The Sex Offenders Act and the Crime and Disorder Act emphasise the need for effective community management of the predatory paedophile. Reviewing the recent growth in multi-agency approaches to this challenge, the book discusses how police, prisons and social work departments can share information and collaborate effectively, and will be essential reading for probation officers, prison staff, social workers and anyone involved in the assessment and management of sex offenders.

Hazel Kemshall is Professor of Community and Criminal Justice at De Montfort University. She has completed research for the Economic and Social Research Council, the Home Office and the Scottish Executive. She is the author of the Home Office risk training materials for social workers and the Scottish Executive materials for social workers, and has edited several titles in the `Good Practice in Social Work' series, published by Jessica Kingsley. Gill McIvor is Professor of Social Work and Director of the Social Work Research Centre at the University of Stirling. She is the author of `Working with Offenders' and `Women who offend', both published by Jessica Kingsley.

Research Highlights in Social Work

This topical series examines areas of particular interest to those in social and community work and related fields. Each book draws together different aspects of the subject, highlighting relevant research and drawing out implications for policy and practice. The project is under the editorial direction of Professor Joyce Lishman, Head of the School of Applied Social Studies at the Robert Gordon University.

CONTENTS:            l. Sex Offenders: Policy and Legislative Developments. Hazel Kemshall, De Montfort University and Gill McIvor, University of Stirling. Part One: The Characteristics of Sexual Offenders. 2. Adult Male Sex Offenders. Dawn D. Fisher, Llanarth Court Psychiatric Hospital and Anthony R. Beech, University of Birmingham. 3. Female Sex Offenders. Hazel Kemshall. 4. Young Sex Offenders. Helen Masson, University of Huddersfield. Part Two: Assessment and Effective Interventions. 5. Risk Assessment of Sex Offenders. Don Grubin, St Nicholas Hospital, Newcastle. 6. Effective Intervention with Sexual Offenders. Bill Marshall, Gerris Serran and Heather Moulden, Rockwood Psychological Services, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 7. Treatment of Sex Offenders in the UK in Prison and Probation Settings. Anthony R. Beech and Dawn D. Fisher. 8. Managing Children and Young People Who are Sexually Aggressive. Andy Kendrick, University of Strathclyde. 9. Relapse Prevention: Theory and Practice. Tony Ward, Victoria University of Wellington, Nlayumi Purvis, University of Melbourne and Grant Devilly, Swinburne University, Australia. Part Three: Community-based Risk Management Strategies. 10. Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements: Key Issues. Mike Maguire, Cardiff University and Hazel Kemshall. 11. Sex Offender Registers and Monitoring. Terry Thomas, Leeds Metropolitan University. The Contributors. Subject Index. Author Index.

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Review

One of the most perplexing aspects in the sphere of criminality and forensic psychology is how best to treat sex offenders and even more importantly how to determine when they are ready to be released from incarceration in order to have an optimum opportunity of living normal law abiding lives.  Unfortunately the history of sex offenders has demonstrated that they are particularly prone to recidivism.  This book seems to offer practical guidance on improving intervention techniques with sex offenders.  It also provides information on how best to monitor former sex offenders activities once they have been release from incarceration.  The book is likely to be of special value to psychologists, especially forensic psychologists working within the prison system and guiding the diagnosis and treatment of such offenders, probation officers, social workers, and prison staff.

Hazel Kemshall is Professor of Community and Criminal Justice at De Monfort University.  Gill McIvor is Professor of Social Work and Director of the Social Work Research Centre at the University of Stirling.

It gave me particular pleasure to read this book as I have myself published a book on paedophilia in which an attempt was made to identify paedophiles and to promote a more rational approach to their treatment within the prison system and thereafter.

In recent times in the UK, and especially since 1997, there has been an increase in controlling the movements and behaviour of former sexual offenders by creating an offender register.  There have been increasing sanctions also for non-compliance to rules set out following the release of former sex offenders.  This has been due predominantly through the mass media and the demand of society for protection from further sex offences of such individuals.  Organisations who are particularly involved with liberty for the individual have considered this to be a possible creation of a “second class citizen” and it could also be recognised as a further punishment once they have paid their due to society from incarceration.

While the UK and the Republic of Ireland have forced through legislation including the use as already mentioned of sex offender registers, the rest of Europe has not found this to be necessary.

The book is divided into three main parts: (1) the characteristics of sexual offenders including young offenders, (2) the assessment and effective intervention with sex offenders both their diagnosis and treatment within UK prisons, and (3) community based risk management strategies using multi-agency public protection arrangements and a sex offender register.  It is unfortunate that high profile cases which have been reported through the media have provided the wrong message as to the type of sexual offences and it’s frequency.  Most who work with sex offenders are aware that the predominant number are not violent aggressive or murderous.  A majority are in fact likely to be grooming of children in their effort to seduce.  The result of child sex abuse can however be long lasting both physically but predominantly psychologically.

Over the years the book reports a greater trend towards treatment programs being established within the prison system, notably the approach uses cognitive behavioural methods.  More attention is now being paid to prisoners who have been released providing them with parole restriction and often intensive monitoring.  The objective of this is for the protection of the general public and most especially vulnerable children.  In order to deal with the management of serial sexually violent offenders it is proposed that the order for lifelong restriction (OLR) need to be introduced.  It has also finally been recognised with some hesitation that there are likely to be categories of offenders who are less amenable to treatment due to their serious personality disorders and these may need to be incarcerated on a more or less permanent basis.

The book presents relevant research material on the affective management of sex offenders.  It shows the necessity of many agencies working together to prevent recidivism once an individual has been released.  Anyone involved in forensic type work should find this book of value.

Dr L. F. Lowenstein, M.A.,DIP.PSYCH.,Ph.D.
Educational, Clinical And Forensic Psychological Consultant
Chartered Psychologist

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Understanding Drug Issues A Photocopiable Resource Workbook

Edition: 2^nd 2005

Authors: David Emmett and Graeme Nice

ISBN: 1-84310-350-8

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley  Publishers Resource Materials

Price £35 RRP UK

Publication Date: 2005

Publishers Information.

This fully updated edition of a successful resource succeeds in engaging and involving young people where many other methods of drugs education - including attempts to shock, inform, or promote decision-making - have failed to make a lasting impact. This is largely because they don't utilize young people's own views, intelligence and insight.
The range of 30 original exercises in this resource is designed to expand and challenge participants' understanding of the issues surrounding illegal drug use, with activities that will enable them to make active and informed personal judgements about drugs.
Understanding Drug Issues features informative and balanced material on all the key issues involved, including:

• the facts and fiction about drugs
• peer pressure
• the social consequences of drug use
• buying drugs
• the dangers involved in using
• the pros and cons of drug use
• legal implications
• the effects of drugs on health.

The activities are ideal for use in groups and feature all the latest developments surrounding the use and abuse of drugs, as well as useful contact details for those wanting further help. The material is photocopiable and designed to be used flexibly - for example as worksheets or overhead projections.
Understanding Drug Issues is an essential resource that will be valued by teachers, youth workers, probation officers, those working with offenders, and any professionals working with young people.
This workbook can be used on its own, or ideally in combination with its companion volume Understanding Drugs: A Handbook for Parents, Teachers and Other Professionals, a complete reference on drugs issues (second edition forthcoming, September 2005).

PREVIOUS REVIEWS

Praise for the first edition:
‘...scores above many others is in its layout, particularly from the trainer's point of view ...this publication appears challenging without patronising its audience ...an accurate, innovative and practical resource which trainers can either use systematically or selectively depending upon their audience.'
- Probation Journal
‘...of use to teachers, youth workers, probation officers and indeed any professional having responsibility for groups of young people ...it has been of great interest to me as a parent and will be used in my advice to schools and community groups.'
- Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

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Review by Peter Jackson

As a resource book this is certainly of use to all people trying to deliver substance abuse training.  There are some very useful exercises contained in this book.  I do feel that for a Photocopiable resource the binding has a limited life, by the time it has been in the photocopier a couple of times it is more than likely that the spine will break and the pages may be lost, I would have liked to have seen a spiral bind so that it would survive the rigours of use. 

The age group is mentioned at the head of each exercise but I would like to see it mentioned on the cover.  Is there a book for the younger age group I wonder?  I think it would be useful to have included some exercise to ascertain the knowledge the group already has and some form of evaluation to see what has been learnt.

On page 25, the Safety Ladder, there were very few safe cards and it did seem a bit one sided, this may be deliberate, but would be useful to have a few more.  I was also a little confused on page 43 were there was no ‘origin for Roid Rage’ but I did find it on page 44 under Wacky Baccy.  This seems to be a problem with the proof reading of the book.

The timing of the release of this book has been unfortunate as the law on Magic Mushrooms changed on the 18^th July 2005 and all of the questions in the book regarding Magic Mushrooms are now wrong.

The book gives the answers first and then shows the questions this is a little off-putting but it is a minor point for comment only.

I very much like the advice in notes for teachers on page 98 that advices the session leader to be aware that some of the scenarios mentioned in the book could actually be happening to the young people you are dealing with and could be a sensitive issue for these young people.  If you are aware of this it may be advisable to delete the particular part or if an individual reacts to a certain section be sensitive to the individual.  This advice could have been mentioned in bold at the beginning of all books of this nature.

Over all a useful book for the armoury.

Peter Jackson

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Dangerous Encounters - Avoiding Perilous Situations with Autism

A Streetwise Guide for all Emergency Responders, Retailers and Parents

Authors: Bill Davis and Wendy Goldband Schunick

ISBN:            1843107325

Publishers Jessica Kingsley Publications

Price:  £13.95 RRP UK,US $19.95 pb

Publication Date: June 2002

This book is about autism.  It will be seen from the use of American English that it is

an American book and as such uses American spellings. 

The book states that most emergency workers know very little about autism. I think

this is something we must accept as true in the UK.  The book explains what to look

for and how to successfully handle encounters with people who have autism. It takes

emergency responders and parents through everyday situations, stressing safety and

awareness. This helps avoid the many problems that have and do arise when

encountering autism in emergencies.

In addition, this book is aimed at retailers and retail security, as people with autism

can look extremely suspicious in shops. For instance, a person with autism may well

start to rearrange CDs or books by colour. This can leave a wrong impression on a

retailer who hasn't encountered autism before and lead to the police being called.

 Both professionals and parents can work to prevent escalating situations. If given

 proper education, serious situations can be avoided when a person with autism is

involved. This book contains practical appendices, such as emergency ID card

instructions and how to make a travel communication safety book, as well as safety

social stories that teach a person with autism how to act safely in emergency

situations. It outlines a number of steps everyone can take and guidelines that can be

 followed. It is also a good training tool for emergency responders.

One of the authors, Bill Davis has trained and spoken to many Police Departments,

Fire Fighters, Ambulance workers, State Troopers, Group Home workers,

Emergency Room workers, Universities, parents and Support Groups in the USA.

Wendy Goldband Schunick has a Master's degree in social work and has been a

television news producer in Washington DC and Baltimore. The professionals that

would find the book useful include, Security Officers, Retail Associations and Retail

Security, Police, Fire Fighters, Paramedics and, Parents.

The book takes the reader through everyday situations with guidelines to be

followed; and has valuable appendices, e.g. emergency ID card instruction.

From a practical point of view it can be used as a training tool for emergency

 responders.

CONTENTS:

A Walk in the Mall. (shopping centre)

l. What is Autism ?

2.Why Training is Needed

3. Characteristics of Autism.

4. Why Law Enforcement might be Called

5. How to Communicate.

6. Challenging Circumstances for Emergency Responders.

7. Particular Challenges for Ambulance and Emergency Room Workers.

8. Fire Rescue.

9. Shoplifting and Store Disturbances: A Special Problem for Retailers and Law        Enforcement Officers.

10. How Emergency Responders and Parents can Work Together.

11. Preventing Problems in Everyday Life.

Epilogue.

Appendices.

Index.

Rob Jerrard

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Social Work, Immigration and Asylum

Debates, Dilemmas and Ethical Issues for Social Work and Social Care Practice

Author: Edited by Debra Hayes and Beth Humphries

Foreword by Steve Cohen

ISBN: 1 84310 194 7

Publishers:

Price £19.95 RRP UK

Publication Date: January 2004

The practical and ethical challenges facing human service professionals working with refugees, asylum seekers and other people subject to immigration controls are discussed in this much-needed book. The contributors explore the tensions that exist between traditional anti-oppressive values and the role professionals increasingly play as “gate keepers” to services.

Drawing from the experience of practitioners working in child protection and family support, disability, the criminal justice system, asylum teams and immigration tribunals, Social Work, Immigration and Asylum will prepare professionals working in these and related fields to deal with the complex situations of people subject to immigration control and to develop interventions appropriate to their differing needs.

Debra Hayes is a senior lecturer in the Department of Applied Community Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has worked with the Greater Manchester Probation Service. Since her time at Manchester Metropolitan University her research and writing has focused on immigration and asylum issues. Beth Humphries is a reader in Social Work at Lancaster University. She has been involved in research on immigration controls for a number of years, and is currently studying the experiences of refugees and employment.

market

Human service professionals, including social work practitioners, managers, educators and policy makers; youth and community workers; health professionals; immigration advisors; as well as students of social work and social care practice.

•        Hot Topic - consistent public and media interest in asylum  issues.

•          Challenging - questions the role that contemporary social work is being asked to take within immigration processes.

•        Much needed - few other resources available to social workers in this growing area of practice.

CONTENTS: 1. history and Context: The impact of immigration control on welfare. Debra Hayes, Manchester Metropolitan University. 2. The Construction and Reconstruction of Social Work. Beth Humphries, Lancaster University. 3. Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Welfare and Social Work. Beth Humphries. 4. Dilemmas of Care and Control: The work of an asylum team in a London borough. Rosemary Sales, Middlesex University and Rachel Hek. 5. Immigration is a Social Work Issue. John Collet, Rochdale Asylum Seekers Team. 6. Social Worn: Intervention: The deconstruction of individuals as a means of gaining a legislative perspective to remain in the United Kingdom. Chris Brown, Social Worker. 7. And now it has started to rain: Support and Advocacy with Adult Asylum Seekers in the Voluntary Sector. Peter Fell, Revive Project, Salford. 8. Social work responses to accompanied asylum-seeking children. Peter Grady, Manchester Metropolitan. University. 9. “Not Our Problem”: The provision of services to disabled refugees and asylum seekers. Jennifer Harris and Keri Roberts, University, of York. 10. Asylum seekers as Offenders and Victims in the Criminal

Justice System, Angela Montgomery, Humberside Probation Service. 11. A Comparative Analysis of European Resettlement Programmes for Young Separated Refugees. Michael wells, Social Worker and Susanna Hoikkala, University of Helsinki. 12. Asylum-Seeker and migrant children in Ireland: Racism, institutional neglect and social work. Bryan. Fanning, University College Dublin. 13. Conclusion. Debra Hayes and Beth Humphries.

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Boys Who Have Abused

Boys Who Have Abused

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Victim/Perpetrators of Sexual

Abuse

Author: John Woods

With a contribution by Anne Alvarez Foreword by Arnon Bentovim

ISBN: 1-84319-093-2

Publishers: Jessica Kingsley Publishers 116 Pentonville Road London N19JB

Price £18.95, US $29.95

Publication Date: August 2004

Review

This is a timely book since we are identifying many more young people with sexual behaviour problems and much of the material to guide us emanates from North America.  Of that which does exist in the UK, much of it is written by academics and researchers and so it is a breath of fresh air to read a work grounded in current practice. Of further interest is the fact that this book is written by a psychotherapist with an excellent reputation in this field.  Since the reviewer has written extensively around work with this group principally for a social work audience, this book has encouraged him to extend and rethink some of his ideas.  That is no mean feat, especially since he has hitherto been fundamentally opposed to a systemic approach to the broader field of sexual abuse!

This book has much to offer two groups of people.  The first group is those who are not grounded in the thinking and systems, Woods espouses as he provides us with a detailed overview of psychoanalytical psychotherapy and then locates this within a systemic context that allows us to consider treatment models, trauma organized systems, gender roles, and the development of self.   He then moves on to more specific details for those already grounded in the theory and who wish to extend their understanding of its application to a specific rather than a generic group and also learn the details of tried-and-tested treatment options.  The chapter addressing common themes identifies bullying and being bullied, the issues in the client-therapist relationship and the re-enactment of trauma.

There is a wealth of information and case material that addresses a number of treatment considerations: individual and group work, short-and long-term interventions, as well as detailed consideration of specific yet non-mainstream considerations: street sexual offenders and gender identity development disturbances.  It was very reassuring to see an invitation chapter included from Anne Alvarez on supervision of work in this field which is essential to promoting reflective and safe practice.

This is a useful contribution to those involved in the field.  It would be useful to consider the production of a workbook for use by busy frontline workers, as there is still a time and understanding gap between aspiration and application.  This is a book that should be integrated into all advanced child care teaching to encourage a greater breadth of understanding of intervention theories and practice.

Martin C Calder

Team Manager: Child Protection Unit

25^th September, 2004

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John Woods is a Principal Psychotherapist at the Portman Clinic, North West London. He also has a private practice and runs workshops and training events.

Contents: Foreword, Arnor7 Bentovim. Preface. 1. Psychotherapy with Young Abusers. 2. Psychotherapy in a Systemic Context. 3. Common Themes in the Psychotherapy of Young Abused/Abusers. 4. Regression, Trauma and False Self Functioning. 5. The Interweaving of Individual Therapy and Staff Group Dynamics: From Re­enactments to Creativity in Residential Treatment. 6. Group Therapy for Adolescents Who Have Abused. 7. Street Sex Offenders. 8. Disturbances of Gender Identity in the Development of an Adolescent Abused/Abuser. 9. Paedophilia as a Perverse Solution to Adolescent Conflicts. 9. Reflections on the Supervision of Work with Young Abusers. Anne Alvarez. References. Subject Index. Author Index.

Other Reviews

“Woods promotes a multi-systematic therapy, incorporating cognitive behaviour and psychoanalytic approaches, in the context of a supportive reliable placement. Rather than idealise one therapeutic approach, Woods encourages practioners to communicate openly. This provides an antidote to the closed structures and perpetuate abuse... Woods considers the developmental stage and emotional needs of young people as well as the need to focus on behaviour. This book is a hopeful one.” - Community Care

“This book is essential reading for psychotherapists who wish to work with young people showing sexually offending behaviour, and for all therapists who are struggling to work with these young people and need to deepen their understanding of this complex field.  From the Foreword by Arnon Bentovim

The Series

Forensic Focus

This series, edited by Gwen Adshead, takes the field of Forensic Psychotherapy as its focal point, offering a forum for the presentation of theoretical and clinical issues. It embraces such influential neighbouring disciplines as language, law, literature, criminology, ethics and philosophy, as well as psychiatry and psychology, its established progenitors. Gwen Adshead is Consultant Forensic Psychotherapist and Lecturer in Forensic Psychotherapy at Broadmoor Hospital.

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