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  Adult Placement: An Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Adult Placement 
  Sue Newton,
  Venture Press
  ISBN: 101861780753,
  £15.49

  STAR RATING: 3/5

As the first book to focus exclusively on adult placement, I read this enthusiastically, writes Caroline Smyth.

The role of the adult placement scheme and scheme worker is described along with the possibilities for future development in the UK and Europe. It was disappointing to note a resistance to the concept of introducing new more dignified ways of identifying what adult placement is and who could benefit from it. This seemed to arise from a fear of losing recognition as it has taken years for the term "placement" to be acknowledged.

Sue Newton covers a lot of ground and delivers what is promised in the title. But some generalisations are made about gender issues which do not reflect my experience of adult placement.

The inclusion of case examples could have been more detailed and would have enriched the book painting a picture of the dynamics and complexities of adult placement and its impact on the lives of those involved.

Caroline Smyth is an adult placement officer with the South West Adult Placement Scheme