Child and Adolescent Psychology for Social Work and Allied Professions

Gabriela Misca (PhD, CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, FHEA) is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Worcester, UK, and 2015-16 Fulbright Scholar in the USA. The focus of her research is advancing understanding of child development in the context of complex and/or adverse family dynamics and transitions across the lifespan.Peter Unwin, PhD, is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Worcester where he teaches on the MA and BA in Social Work. He is a Registered Social Worker who has worked across all sectors of child care, having a particular interest in foster care.

• The relevance of child and adolescent psychology to social workEmotional development and attachmentCognitive developmentSocial development: from childhood to adolescenceParentingSafeguarding children and young peopleUnderstanding child and adolescent mental health

The authors make a compelling case for the important role that developmental psychology should play in social work if its practitioners are to work well with individual children, adolescents and their parents. The range of theories offered, the examples provided and the guides to further reading studded throughout the text provide excellent support for the argument that relationship-based practices remain the bedrock of sound social work.