Routledge Working with Families of Children with Special Needs: Partnership and Practice

The importance of partnerships between professionals and the parents of children with special needs/disability is well established in childcare legislation. But is it reflected in practice? Written for practitioners and those in training, this book recognises that forming partnerships can be a fraught process involving dissent as well as cooperation. Naomi Dale draws on case histories from her own experience to examine key partnership issues such as consent, confidentiality and diagnosis delivery. She combines up-to-date theory and research with practice to provide a wealth of suggestions and ideas for effective family work. Working with Families of Children with Special Needs features useful exercises with each chapter, making it an excellent resource book and practice manual for multidisciplinary professionals. Review `The book offers a modern refreshing, yet feasible approach to working in a meaningful partnership with families...one of the best reference texts available for anyone working with disabled children and their families. It is definitely worth buying.' - Child and Family Social Work 'An impressive and comprehensive text, drawing on a wide range of literature in theory and research, to describe models of good practice in partnership.' - Disability and Society 'I would recommend it as essential reading for all involved in the provision of services to families of children with special needs and in parent-professional relationships.' - Disability and Society 'If you have any involvement with families who have young children with severe and generalized developmental disabilities, buy this book.' - John Clements, Clinical Psychologist About the Author Naomi Dale was Director of the KIDS Family Centre, Camden, London. She is currently a consultant clinical psychologist in the Neurodisability Service (the Wolfson Centre) of the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. An expert in family work, she is also involved in professional training and research into partnership support services.