Working with Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families second edition published

This week sees the publication of the 2^nd edition of the ‘Working with Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families’ book, a Newman-led initiative featuring the work of colleagues from both faculties and across a range of programmes i.e. Early Childhood Education and Care, Working with Children, Young People and Families and Education and Multi-Professional Practice as well as a range of other academic colleagues in the field . The book begins by exploring what we mean when we talk about vulnerability and then sets out the legal and policy context for current practice. What follows is a series of subject specific chapters exploring vulnerability in the context of children’s voices and rights, young people, looked after children and care leavers, domestic abuse, young people and digital media, young people who have sexually harmed others and working with vulnerable parents. Each chapter draws on the author’s expertise to set out the policy and practice context in each of these areas and the debates, challenges and opportunities for practice.

This is the latest development in on-going collaborative project which engages in the debate about how we perceive vulnerability and how it is positioned in policy and practice. This project started in July 2013 with the publication of the first edition of this book and its launch at the Newman hosted conference Hidden Truths: Understanding Vulnerability in 21st century Britain on Friday 8^th November 2013. As a direct result of the conference, in the following May 2014, Vulnerability 360 was launched whose main work is to host a website where thoughts and ideas can be shared around the concept of vulnerability. Since then, the website has become a valuable repository for articles, research, reviews and news which engage in this debate. The site features resources around the key issues of Poverty, Looked After Children, Disability, Early Years, the Elderly and marginalised and excluded communities and is a forum where academics, practitioners, community activists and students can share their thoughts and explore new ideas. The team are always looking for new and interesting contributions to stimulate this debate and to broaden their audience, so please take a look at the site or get in touch if you want to share your thoughts.