Support Care: How Family Placement Can Keep Children and Families Together

 Support Care: How Family Placement Can Keep Children and Families Together
 Edited by Helen Cosis Brown, Ena Fry and Joy Howard, Russell House Publishing
 ISBN 1 903855 74 8, £16.95

 STAR RATING: 4/5

My first impression of this book was that the cover was dull, as well as grim – why have such a wonderfully inspiring title with such a dull black cover? writes Carolyn Matthews.

It’s not a big paperback – it has 137 pages. It’s quite an easy read. But the overburdened introduction, which to my mind didn’t finish until page 21, made it a struggle to read. But from chapter 2 onwards, the writing style became more interesting.

Take for example Chapter 5: Adoption under Pressure. Okay, admittedly it’s my favourite subject, but it had a lot to say.

Although it stated the obvious, it then went on to challenge it,  and give examples to address problem.

This book is about declaring that “innovation and creativity rules”, take risks, and give people the space to think.

I liked it but still wish the cover was a bit more cheerful – like the content was in the end.

Carolyn Matthews is a team manager, adoption and permanence, Wigan Council