The Criminalisation and Exploitation of Children in Care: Multi-Agency Perspectives

Description

The Criminalisation and Exploitation of Children in Care explores the results of a recent qualitative study, which focused on multi-agency responses to children and young people in residential and foster care who were at risk of criminalisation and/or exploitation and abuse. Recent high-profile reports have highlighted an urgent need for effective multi-agency work to tackle the issues of criminalisation and exploitation of children and young people in care. However, progress to date has been slow, and it is clear that there is still some way to go before effective multi-agency working becomes widespread. In response, this book draws upon the experiences and perspectives of practitioners from a sample of co-located Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs, as well as the latest research, theory and policy developments in the field. In doing so, it explores both the benefits and challenges of multi-agency working and concludes with recommendations for future policy and practice. This timely study will be of great interest to students and scholars of criminology, criminal justice, policing studies, social work, health and childhood studies. It will also be a valuable tool for practitioners and policymakers in the criminal, youth justice and social service arenas. Cover Endorsement Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of contents Tables Acknowledgements Introduction Terminology Research themes and participants Objectives of the book The layout of the book References 1 Setting the scene Introduction Who is in care and where do they live? Criminalisation Exploitation Child sexual exploitation CSE and offending Child criminal exploitation Multi-agency working: the way forward? References 2 Advantages and challenges of multi-agency working Introduction Failures in children’s services: a recent history of multi-agency working Current multi-agency policy Definitions of multi-agency working Models of multi-agency working Factors relating to effective multi-agency working The challenges of multi-agency working Barriers to multi-agency working Conclusion References 3 Theory and methodology Introduction Communities of practice: a theory of multi-agency working What are communities of practice? Communities of practice: challenges and critiques The research study: methodology and methods A qualitative approach Research design: methods Research process: sampling, data collection and analysis Ethical considerations and reflexivity Conclusion References 4 Criminalisation Introduction The continuing problem of residential care The resident group Private children’s homes Residential home staff: capabilities, confidence and commitment Placement movement Foster care: positive perceptions and mixed messages The role of the police Conclusion References 5 Exploitation Vulnerability of children in care Forms of exploitation Residential care and exploitation The interplay between criminalisation and exploitation New directions Conclusion References 6 Perspectives of MASH team working: Approaching a ‘community of practice’? Introduction Benefits of multi-agency working Challenges of multi-agency working Summary A community of practice? References 7 Conclusion and final thoughts Criminalisation Exploitation Multi-agency responses Conclusion References Index