Practitioners must be able to listen, talk, communicate and engage with children and young people if they are going to make a real difference to their lives. The key principles of collaborative, relational, child-centred working underpin all the ideas in this bestselling, practice-focused textbook.

Using an innovative ‘Knowing, Being, Doing’ model, it features reflective exercises, practice examples, vignettes, cutting-edge research findings and theoretical perspectives.

This new edition includes:

• Updated references to policy, legislation, professional requirements, practice tools and research, including around unaccompanied young refugees and asylum seekers, and child sexual exploitation;

• New learning from ethnographic and observational research of social workers’ direct practice with children;

• Added focus on the context for practice, including the role of supervision and organisational containment in developing practitioners’ emotional capabilities.

With detailed coverage of key skills, this book will equip students and practitioners with the critical thinking and tools needed for effective practice in order to promote the welfare, protection and rights of children and young people.

“Written in an accessible and engaging style, this updated text addresses a variety of topical communication contexts which are relevant for practitioners at any stage of their career.” Dr Fran Wiles, The Open University
“Well-written and informative, Lefevre’s fully revised and welcome 2nd edition is an indispensable resource for all who routinely engage and communicate with children and young people.” Dr Tony Sparkes, University of Bradford

Michelle Lefevre is Professor of Social Work at the University of Sussex and has extensive experience of research and practice as a social worker and arts psychotherapist with children and young people.