Description
The potential for early intervention to prevent social problems later in life has become the focus of much debate in recent years and finds itself at the centre of contemporary social policy. The meaning of ‘vulnerability’ – one of the key concepts in this drive – is examined in this book, as well as the relationship between vulnerability and the individual, communities and society.
This book introduces students to a broad debate around what constitutes vulnerability and related concepts such as risk and resilience, and examines how vulnerability has been conceptualised by policy makers with a clear focus on early intervention. Adopting a case study approach, it opens with chapters examining the concept of vulnerability from sociological, psychological and social policy perspectives before looking at examples around disability, homelessness, leaving care, victims of violence, sexual abuse, prison, the Internet and drug use.
Supporting students in engaging with and evaluating the conceptualisation and application of vulnerability in professional practice, this book is suitable for anyone either preparing for or currently working within the children’s workforce, from social work and health care to education and youth work.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. What Do We Mean When We Talk About ‘Vulnerability’? Terry Potter and Graham Brotherton Chapter 2. Notes on Psychologies of Vulnerability Roger Willoughby Chapter 3. The Legal and Policy Context Mark Cronin and Graham Brotherton Chapter 4. Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Christine Collett Chapter 5. The Construction of Vulnerability in the Homeless and Young People through UK Housing Policy Mike Seal Chapter 6. Care Leavers Mark Cronin Chapter 7. Children of Prisoners Karen Argent Chapter 8. Young People Who Have Sexually Harmed Others Sharon Hall Chapter 9. Violence in the Context of Personal Relationships Graham Brotherton Chapter 10. Young People, Digital Media and Risk: A Problem of Polarisation Stephen Dixon Chapter 11. Conclusion: Working With Vulnerability? Graham Brotherton and Mark Cronin
