Self-worth in children and young people

Challenges current adult-led approaches to working with vulnerable young people, and introduces practitioners and students to creative methods that will enhance the self-worth of children and teenagers. Anthropologist and social worker, Rachel Burr, outlines clear communication techniques for working with children and young people to support them towards self-determination. By critically examining the dominant approaches to children and young people's mental health, she provides straightforward practical strategies that can be used to address emotional upset, loss, and aid recovery. There has never been a more pressing time to encourage young people and children to engage in methods that allow them to develop a new sense of self-worth and purpose. Whether you're a professional already working with children, or a student studying for a child-related qualification, this strength-based approach will help you to help children and young people develop a stronger sense of self which can be taken forward and used independently.

Rachel Burr is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex where she was instrumental in establishing postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in Childhood and Youth Studies. Until recently she was course lead on the BA in Childhood and Youth. Rachel also teaches on qualifying programmes in social work. An anthropologist and social worker with an international background in child protection, her overarching focus is on developing practitioner-orientated techniques for working with and enhancing emotional strength among children and young people who are living in challenging and difficult circumstances.

Introduction: Why now?: Chapter 1: The state of childhood today Chapter 2: Mental health and wellbeing Chapter 3: Current approaches to mental health support for children and young people Chapter 4: A new way of thinking Chapter 5: Learning from children and young people Chapter 6: Young children speak out Chapter 7: It takes more than a mantra Conclusion: The long and winding road