Children,Family and the State

This study of children's participation in decisions about their care draws on recent work in sociology and anthropology, psychology and legal philosophy in order to understand this challenging area of social life. It also reports on original and groundbreaking research into children's views of decision-making processes. The book has important theoretical implications and important lessons for social welfare policy and practice. It will be of interest to those involved in childhood studies or in qualitative research methods, as well as in social welfare provision.

'...a welcome contribution to our understanding of looked-after children's experiences of participation in decision-making. The author's findings contain important messages for social workers, managers and policy makers...essential reading on all courses for those working with look-after children and young people at both undergraduate and post-qualifiying level.' - Jane Boylan, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Staffordshire University '...a thoughtful book on what sort of role children...should play in decisions about their own lives.' - Contemporary Sociology '...of interest to those in social care...the book is likely to have a wider audience than just the reflexive social worker; it has much to say to all those seeking to make children's participation a more accepted reality...very valuable to those coming fresh to the subject. This is a complex topic that is explored in considerable depth in a very accessible way.' - Ruth Sinclair, Children & Society

NIGEL THOMAS is a Senior Lecturer in Childhood Studies at the University of Wales, Swansea. He was a social work practitioner and manager for more than twenty years in Derbyshire and Oxfordshire. His recent publications include Area Child Protection Committees (with Robert Sanders) and On the Move Again: What Works in Creating Stability for Looked After Children (with Sonia Jackson).