Edited by Vicky White and John Harris, Jessica Kingsley

ISBN 1843101505, £16.95

STAR RATING 2/5

This book contains chapters by several authors, most of them working with Warwickshire social services. It offers the opportunity to learn from good practice in a three-star council, writes Anne Burnage.

Unfortunately, the quality of the contributions is variable. Simon Lord's chapter on strategic development, for example, is alarmingly uncritical. I cannot imagine many social workers agreeing with his view that completely restructuring the department three times in 10 years is a mark of good practice.

Andrew Durham's chapter on working with young people with sexual behavioural difficulties is based on one very narrow interpretation of such problems and fails to take into account other approaches.

On the other hand Ann Seal's description of a programme to help children learn to keep themselves safe describes a useful and interesting experiment that is honestly evaluated. Likewise Rebecca Johnson and Phil Sawbridge's discussion of matching needs and services in family placement is a thoughtful analysis of a complex issue.

So, a book that is good in parts but perhaps not the highest priority for those with £16.95 to spend.

Anne Burnage is deputy director of the Catholic Children's Society