Publisher's Synopsis
What do we mean by family support? How can we assess the outcomes of family support services? What evidence is there to show which services are effective in supporting vulnerable children and their families? There is currently widespread interest in how best to support families and young children, especially those who are in danger of being excluded or marginalized. This timely book reviews the evidence on 'what works' in family support services, and describes some of the problems and issues that arise when evaluating social welfare provision in general and family support services in particular. Covering ten key areas such as family centres, parenting education and services for disabled children, this book summarises evidence-based findings from research studies in the UK and the USA and provides an extensive bibliography for those wishing to follow up topics in further detail. It will provide an invaluable resource for Sure Start co-ordinators, children's services managers, providers of early years services and all those concerned with planning or monitoring provision to support young children and their families. It will also be of interest to lecturers and students of child welfare and education.
