Adrian Ward works is the Programme Director of the qualifying MA in Social Work at the Tavistock Centre, London. His background is in residential child care and he has written extensively about residential care, group care and therapeutic approaches to social work, and co-edited several books in this field; he was editor of the journal Therapeutic Communities from 1999 to 2005.

• Acknowledgements 1. Introduction, Adrian Ward, The University of East Anglia, Kajetan Kasinski, Northgate Clinic, Jane Pooley, The Tavistock Consultancy Service, and Alan Worthington, Peper Harow Foundation. PART ONE: Ideas and Origins, Introduction, Adrian Ward. 2. The Core Framework, Adrian Ward. 3. The Roots of Work: Definitions, Origins and Influences, Kajetan Kasinski.. 4. The Roots of Mental Health: Emotional Development and the Caring Environment, Monica Lanyado, Peper Harow Foundation. 5. Group Thinking, Philip Stokoe, Tavistock Clinic. 6. The Contribution of Systemic Thinking and Practice, Collette Richardson, Northgate Clinic. PART TWO: Practice, Introduction, `Where's the therapy? Adrian Ward. 7. Using Everyday Life, Adrian Ward. 8. The Meaning of Good Experience, Jenny Carter, Peper Harow Foundation. 9. Relationships and the Therapeutic Setting, Alan Worthington. 10. Structured Work: The Space to Think, Alan Worthington. 11. Developing the Quality of Teaching and Learning in a Therapeutic School, Andy Lole, Mulberry Bush School. 12. Keeping Families in Mind, Jane Pooley. PART THREE: Management and Development, Introduction, Adrian Ward. 13.Management and Leadership: `What a Long Strange Trip it is', Richard Rollinson, Peper Harow Foundation 14. Consultancy and Supervision, Peter Wilson, Young Minds. 15. Staff Development and Training, Andrew Collie, Caldecott College. 16. The Challenge of Research, John C. Wright, The University of Plymouth and Plymouth Primary Care Trust and Phil Richardson, The Tavistock Clinic and the University of Essex. PART FOUR: Applications and the Future, Introduction, Adrian Ward. 17. Applying the Therapeutic Community Model in Other Settings, Linnet McMahon, University of Reading. 18. Therapeutic Childcare and the Local Authority, Michael Maher, Surrey Children's Service. 19. Developing Community Groupwork in a Secure Setting, David Hartman, Huntercombe Maidenhead Hospital, Berkshire. 20. Conclusion, Review, Reflection and Reading, Adrian Ward, Kajetan Kasinski, Jane Pooley and Alan Worthington. Key Professional Organisations in the United Kingdom. Editor and Contributor Biographies. References. Index.

An impressive, comprehensive collection that is badly needed to fill a gap in the current literature. The volume addresses a very highly specialized treatment-modality practiced in the United Kingdom in therapeutic communities. Yet most of what is described is familiar and useable for those of us who practice in the United States and, I would imagine, elsewhere in the western world. There are many case-specific examples to illustrate or elaborate what the authors intend to convey. I found these clear case illustrations very helpful. I would like to suggest that Therapeutic Communities for Children and Young People be placed on reading lists of professional training programs in psychiatry, psychology, social work, special education, psychiatric nursing, and child-care. Furthermore, the contents of this volume should be integrated into agency in-house training programs, which deal with this severely troubled group of young people.