Ian is a qualified residential social worker. He has published academic papers, text-books and practice guidance. He has a particular interest in residential care, foster care and care-leaving. With colleagues in CELCIS Ian is involved in international policy and practice development in the field of 'Alternative care' - children who are in foster, kinship or residential care. He is one of the authors of Moving Forward: Implementing the UN Guidelines on the Alternative Care of Children (www.alternativecareguidelines.org ), published in 2013 and now translated into 6 languages. He was one of the team behind a major EU-Funded study of alternative care and de-institutionalisation: Towards the right care for children: Orientations for reforming child care systems (Chaitkin et al., 2017, Luxembourg EU). Ian is a senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde (Scotland) and International Advisor in the Centre for Excellence for Looked after Children in Scotland (CELCIS). Ian has provided consultancy, research, evaluation and training services in a number of countries. In recent years he has, •published reviews of the care system in Uganda and Kosovo•conducted evaluations of new fostering services in Albania and Tajikistan•delivered Training of Trainers to participants from 8 countries in South-East EuropeAs International Advisor for CELCIS Ian is involved in building partnerships with UNICEF, NGOs and academic institutions to develop policy and increase the knowledge and skills of child welfare professionals across the world. Ian has acted as a consultant to UNICEF, and the Scottish and UK governments.
... long-term residential care was ruled out altogether, except for those teenagers whose behavio... more ... long-term residential care was ruled out altogether, except for those teenagers whose behaviour was too ... these can be 'taught' in education and social care settings with vulnerable and damaged ... The failure of attempts to improve residential care by the way of social work training ...
... As Kahan observed, the use of residential child care: has waxed and waned and waxed again dep... more ... As Kahan observed, the use of residential child care: has waxed and waned and waxed again depending on the fluctuations of professional and political theories and fashions and changing pressures on national resources. (1994:4) This kind of trend is not only found in the UK. ...
This chapter will offer an introduction to the social work profession and an overview of some key... more This chapter will offer an introduction to the social work profession and an overview of some key principles and factors that shape social work practice – ‘a controversial business’ (Horner, 2012, p. 2). Social work is controversial perhaps because it involves highly sensi¬tive areas of work and the exercise of power, such as intervening in family life to protect children, providing reports for Courts and Children’s Hearings, or assessing people who want to foster or adopt. Making recommendations or decisions in these circumstances is difficult, not least because social workers have to continue to deal with those who may be unhappy or critical of their findings. Indeed, accord¬ing to Horner, social work ‘inevitably attracts opprobrium’ because of its location ‘at the interface between the rights of the individual and the responsibilities of the state towards its citizens’ (Horner, 2012, p. 2). It is widely accepted that social work as a whole is complex and challenging: ‘Social workers undertake some of the most demanding tasks society asks of any group of staff . . . Over many years, society has come to expect more of social work and has asked social work to do more’ (Scottish Executive, 2006, p. 1). So this chapter is written in order to promote inter-professional understanding; to help other professionals, especially education personnel, understand how social workers approach their work. Particular emphasis will be given to the relationship-based nature of professional social work. Social workers undertake their work through building relationships with the ‘service users’ they work with, and working with other professionals is also an important part of the job. In broad terms, social work is required to carry out two contrasting types of func¬tion: personal support and advocacy (the care function) on the one hand and ‘social control’ (the protection function) on the other: ‘What is apparent is that society expects social workers – and their colleagues engaged in the broader related field of social care – to both protect and care for those citizens deemed in need of such protection and care’ (Horner, 2012, p. 7).
Residential child care has changed significantly in recent decades. Across the United Kingdom, nu... more Residential child care has changed significantly in recent decades. Across the United Kingdom, numerous inquiries and official reports into failings have informed both developments in residential care and public perceptions of the residential task. The scale of investigation is vast and recurrent: in 2002, 32 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were conducting sex abuse inquiries at care homes and schools (Johnston 2002). As a result, residential child care has been constantly reviewed and various initiatives and structures put in place to ensure high-quality care is delivered for children. While obviously similar, specific incidents or needs have led to some unique developments in each of the four nations in the United Kingdom. This chapter outlines the context of current residential child care practice in each nation.
In order to increase its knowledge on the possible issue of de-institutionalisation in developing... more In order to increase its knowledge on the possible issue of de-institutionalisation in developing countries and how it could be addressed, the European Commission Directorate- General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) commissioned SOS Children’s Villages International to conduct the present study. Its general objective was to “conduct a research on the possible issue of institutionalisation in six South and Central American, Asian and African countries in order to strengthen the knowledge of the European Commission on the nature, the extent and scope of institutionalisation and feasibility of de-institutionalisation (alternative care for children). On the basis of its results, the research would give recommendations for future possible initiatives (pilot programmes, social protection system reforms, for example) to be supported by the EU in developing countries.” The present synthesis report, Towards the Right Care for Children, presents the findings of the st...
The Camphill St Andrew’s Project is a recent venture into a new format of service provision at Ca... more The Camphill St Andrew’s Project is a recent venture into a new format of service provision at Camphill (Aberdeen). The St Andrew’s Project has extended the range of service provision at Camphill to include groups of children and young people that have previously not received its support. They have accomplished this using a flexible and informal style of provision. This report is an evaluation of the Camphill St Andrew’s Project.
The purpose of the report is to provide an initial evaluation of the process of setting up a pilo... more The purpose of the report is to provide an initial evaluation of the process of setting up a pilot fostering project in Tajikistan. The EU-funded and commissioned project was initiated and led by HealthProm, supported and match-funded by UNICEF, working with local NGO partners and Government departments. Fostering (by strangers as opposed to kin) is virtually unknown in Tajikistan1. Likewise state-funded community social services are at a very early stage of development and the subject of technical support programmes from the EU. The fostering programme is part of a larger 3-year project (2012-2015) developing a range of ’early years’, social services for families with babies and disabled children, called the Keeping and Finding Families project: Inclusive social services for young children in Tajikistan.
Many of the young people will be displaying pain‐based behaviour (Anglin 2002) and plans made for... more Many of the young people will be displaying pain‐based behaviour (Anglin 2002) and plans made for them should minimise possible re‐traumatisation. The best attempt must be made to match the young person to the residential service that can best meet their needs. NRCCI noted that Residential Care can be a positive choice for the children and young people whose needs it serves Higher Aspirations, Brighter Futures. Residential staff build and maintain the relationships with young people and their families which can meet their needs for safety and security and contribute to achieving desired outcomes
International Journal for Population Data Science, 2017
ABSTRACTObjectivesChildren that are ‘looked after’ include those that are accommodated in foster,... more ABSTRACTObjectivesChildren that are ‘looked after’ include those that are accommodated in foster, kinship and residential care placements, as well as those at home on compulsory supervision. They have poorer physical and mental health than their peers and there are concerns about the relatively high levels of untreated morbidity. Oral health and access to dental services among Looked After Children (LAC) has received limited attention to date. The objective of this study was to compare the oral health and access to dental services of children who are looked after by the state, with comparable children in the general population. ApproachSchool and Social Work datasets were able to be linked using the Scottish Exchange of Data (ScotXed) Unit. This in turn was linked with health data making use of the Scottish national record-linkage system provided by the NHS eDRIS team for the FARR Institute Scotland. All of the following datasets used in this study are complete national datasets for...
A report of the evaluation of the CAYP project (child and adolescent mental health services for a... more A report of the evaluation of the CAYP project (child and adolescent mental health services for accommodated children and young people).
Analysis of football as a form of group care theory and practice. Explores how staff, under press... more Analysis of football as a form of group care theory and practice. Explores how staff, under pressure to be in control, may miss the significance of the support that young people can offer each other. Advises how staff can recognise the positive possibilities of the 'group' in group care. Critiques policy, driven by perceptions of 'the group' as an object of fear, to make units ever smaller.
... long-term residential care was ruled out altogether, except for those teenagers whose behavio... more ... long-term residential care was ruled out altogether, except for those teenagers whose behaviour was too ... these can be 'taught' in education and social care settings with vulnerable and damaged ... The failure of attempts to improve residential care by the way of social work training ...
... As Kahan observed, the use of residential child care: has waxed and waned and waxed again dep... more ... As Kahan observed, the use of residential child care: has waxed and waned and waxed again depending on the fluctuations of professional and political theories and fashions and changing pressures on national resources. (1994:4) This kind of trend is not only found in the UK. ...
This chapter will offer an introduction to the social work profession and an overview of some key... more This chapter will offer an introduction to the social work profession and an overview of some key principles and factors that shape social work practice – ‘a controversial business’ (Horner, 2012, p. 2). Social work is controversial perhaps because it involves highly sensi¬tive areas of work and the exercise of power, such as intervening in family life to protect children, providing reports for Courts and Children’s Hearings, or assessing people who want to foster or adopt. Making recommendations or decisions in these circumstances is difficult, not least because social workers have to continue to deal with those who may be unhappy or critical of their findings. Indeed, accord¬ing to Horner, social work ‘inevitably attracts opprobrium’ because of its location ‘at the interface between the rights of the individual and the responsibilities of the state towards its citizens’ (Horner, 2012, p. 2). It is widely accepted that social work as a whole is complex and challenging: ‘Social workers undertake some of the most demanding tasks society asks of any group of staff . . . Over many years, society has come to expect more of social work and has asked social work to do more’ (Scottish Executive, 2006, p. 1). So this chapter is written in order to promote inter-professional understanding; to help other professionals, especially education personnel, understand how social workers approach their work. Particular emphasis will be given to the relationship-based nature of professional social work. Social workers undertake their work through building relationships with the ‘service users’ they work with, and working with other professionals is also an important part of the job. In broad terms, social work is required to carry out two contrasting types of func¬tion: personal support and advocacy (the care function) on the one hand and ‘social control’ (the protection function) on the other: ‘What is apparent is that society expects social workers – and their colleagues engaged in the broader related field of social care – to both protect and care for those citizens deemed in need of such protection and care’ (Horner, 2012, p. 7).
Residential child care has changed significantly in recent decades. Across the United Kingdom, nu... more Residential child care has changed significantly in recent decades. Across the United Kingdom, numerous inquiries and official reports into failings have informed both developments in residential care and public perceptions of the residential task. The scale of investigation is vast and recurrent: in 2002, 32 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were conducting sex abuse inquiries at care homes and schools (Johnston 2002). As a result, residential child care has been constantly reviewed and various initiatives and structures put in place to ensure high-quality care is delivered for children. While obviously similar, specific incidents or needs have led to some unique developments in each of the four nations in the United Kingdom. This chapter outlines the context of current residential child care practice in each nation.
In order to increase its knowledge on the possible issue of de-institutionalisation in developing... more In order to increase its knowledge on the possible issue of de-institutionalisation in developing countries and how it could be addressed, the European Commission Directorate- General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) commissioned SOS Children’s Villages International to conduct the present study. Its general objective was to “conduct a research on the possible issue of institutionalisation in six South and Central American, Asian and African countries in order to strengthen the knowledge of the European Commission on the nature, the extent and scope of institutionalisation and feasibility of de-institutionalisation (alternative care for children). On the basis of its results, the research would give recommendations for future possible initiatives (pilot programmes, social protection system reforms, for example) to be supported by the EU in developing countries.” The present synthesis report, Towards the Right Care for Children, presents the findings of the st...
The Camphill St Andrew’s Project is a recent venture into a new format of service provision at Ca... more The Camphill St Andrew’s Project is a recent venture into a new format of service provision at Camphill (Aberdeen). The St Andrew’s Project has extended the range of service provision at Camphill to include groups of children and young people that have previously not received its support. They have accomplished this using a flexible and informal style of provision. This report is an evaluation of the Camphill St Andrew’s Project.
The purpose of the report is to provide an initial evaluation of the process of setting up a pilo... more The purpose of the report is to provide an initial evaluation of the process of setting up a pilot fostering project in Tajikistan. The EU-funded and commissioned project was initiated and led by HealthProm, supported and match-funded by UNICEF, working with local NGO partners and Government departments. Fostering (by strangers as opposed to kin) is virtually unknown in Tajikistan1. Likewise state-funded community social services are at a very early stage of development and the subject of technical support programmes from the EU. The fostering programme is part of a larger 3-year project (2012-2015) developing a range of ’early years’, social services for families with babies and disabled children, called the Keeping and Finding Families project: Inclusive social services for young children in Tajikistan.
Many of the young people will be displaying pain‐based behaviour (Anglin 2002) and plans made for... more Many of the young people will be displaying pain‐based behaviour (Anglin 2002) and plans made for them should minimise possible re‐traumatisation. The best attempt must be made to match the young person to the residential service that can best meet their needs. NRCCI noted that Residential Care can be a positive choice for the children and young people whose needs it serves Higher Aspirations, Brighter Futures. Residential staff build and maintain the relationships with young people and their families which can meet their needs for safety and security and contribute to achieving desired outcomes
International Journal for Population Data Science, 2017
ABSTRACTObjectivesChildren that are ‘looked after’ include those that are accommodated in foster,... more ABSTRACTObjectivesChildren that are ‘looked after’ include those that are accommodated in foster, kinship and residential care placements, as well as those at home on compulsory supervision. They have poorer physical and mental health than their peers and there are concerns about the relatively high levels of untreated morbidity. Oral health and access to dental services among Looked After Children (LAC) has received limited attention to date. The objective of this study was to compare the oral health and access to dental services of children who are looked after by the state, with comparable children in the general population. ApproachSchool and Social Work datasets were able to be linked using the Scottish Exchange of Data (ScotXed) Unit. This in turn was linked with health data making use of the Scottish national record-linkage system provided by the NHS eDRIS team for the FARR Institute Scotland. All of the following datasets used in this study are complete national datasets for...
A report of the evaluation of the CAYP project (child and adolescent mental health services for a... more A report of the evaluation of the CAYP project (child and adolescent mental health services for accommodated children and young people).
Analysis of football as a form of group care theory and practice. Explores how staff, under press... more Analysis of football as a form of group care theory and practice. Explores how staff, under pressure to be in control, may miss the significance of the support that young people can offer each other. Advises how staff can recognise the positive possibilities of the 'group' in group care. Critiques policy, driven by perceptions of 'the group' as an object of fear, to make units ever smaller.
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