News

Edited by John Coleman and Debi Roker
Jessica Kingsley Publishing
£15.95
ISBN 1 85302 9440

All of the contributors to this handbook for professionals are engaged in providing support services to parents of adolescents.

Until recently most parenting support and education was concentrated in the early years. But the falling age of puberty and the postponement of economic independence have made living with teenagers increasingly problematic for many parents, and they have no natural place to turn for help.

Social workers, GPs and teachers may not have the time or expertise to provide continuing support, but at least they should know where it might be found. This collection does a useful job of describing what is available, including chapters on teenagers from ethnic minorities, families caught up in the youth justice system, and telephone helplines.

Much is now known about effective styles of parenting and ways of avoiding the kinds of conflict that lead to anti-social behaviour and propel many young people into the care system. The difficulty is to communicate that knowledge to those who need it, and the editors give credit to the present government for several promising initiatives. Provision is still patchy and often inaccessible, but a start has been made.

Sonia Jackson is honorary visiting fellow at the school of policy studies at the University of Bristol.