This review summarises the research literature on children's and parents' involvement in social work decision making, which is regarded, in policy terms, as increasingly important. In practice, however, it tends to be messy, difficult and compromised. Different individuals or groups may have different understandings of participation and related…

Despite structural changes made to central government and the development of the Every Child Matters programme in England, compartmentalised child policy proposals are often created for service settings and in response to a specific political imperative. This article provides a rationale for child impact assessment--a systematic process in which…

This article sets out results from a Welsh Assembly government-funded study of complaints involving children and their use of advocacy services commissioned by local authorities in Wales. As this is the first study of its kind in Wales there is no baseline against which to compare the findings, hence we discuss the data in the context of a wider…

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, advances in the sociology of childhood and the consumer rights movement have placed the spotlight on children's rights in society, challenging those working with children to examine how they share power and ensure that children's views are taken on board. While children's service…

Argues that government structures are not effective for children. Suggests that a Minister and Children's Unit be responsible for four tasks, including developing government strategy for children, presenting research on children to provide a full view of the child's situation to government, coordinating government departments, and consulting…

Describes experience of helping two sets of divorcing parents retain meaningful contact between young children and non-resident fathers. Argues that failure to consider past parenting practices, to grant children party status and give them independent representation, and to offer child-centered services to help parents practice shared parenting…

Discusses the role and definition of children's rights since the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Suggests ways to build upon the Convention by concentrating on: neglected groups of children, including disabled, gay, minority, and girl children; reforming the rights of children; and strengthening the implementation…

Explored children's perceptions of the guardian ad litem service in Great Britain and their experiences of public law proceedings. Found that children felt listened to and supported by their guardians. Children expressed concerns related to their court attendance, accessibility of information they gave guardians, expert witness arrangements, and…

Compares responses to the issue of children caring for ill or disabled family members in the 1990s to resistance encountered in the implementation of child labor and education reforms toward the end of the nineteenth century. Discusses parallel ways in which the quality of childhood became problematized without sufficient recognition of the…

Discusses changes in pediatric knowledge and practice necessary to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Considers the importance of the "new morbidity" training for pediatricians to include advocacy, public health, adolescence, health promotion, parenting and family dynamics, health and social inequalities, and social…

Describes a United Kingdom initiative to create opportunities for youth participation in decision making. Explores issues that have frustrated translation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into a reality in the United Kingdom. Asserts that an agenda based upon children's universal rights has more potential for political…

Asserts that these reports were wide-ranging proposals for new statutory services for disadvantaged children. Argues that the impetus for the reports sprang from events and organizations before and during World War II. Reviews child care 1900-39, war and evacuation, and Lady Allen's influence on child care policy. Claims that the Children Act 1948…

Reflects on idea of representing children politically and socially or culturally, drawing on themes emerging from the United Kingdom's ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) Children 5-16 Programme, a research initiative focusing on children as social actors. Explores children as research subjects, documentation of "children's…

Describes the launch of Ireland's National Children's Strategy: Our Children -- Their Lives. Examines specifically the process and mechanisms for developing the strategy; the content of the strategy, which includes the vision, an understanding of contemporary childhood, and three national goals including their central policy objectives and key…

Used mail survey to assess contributions of voluntary organizations providing for children with life-limiting incurable disorders. Found a variety of services, including information service, emotional support and counseling, patient and family support, and telephone helpline. Respite care was associated with annual budget size. Unstable funding,…