Improving the Psychological Wellbeing of Children and Young People: Effective Prevention And Early Intervention Across Health, Education And Social Care

Written for professionals spanning children's services, this must-read guide provides an authoritative overview of what shapes the psychological wellbeing of children and young people - from perinatal care and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) through to their socioeconomic circumstances, schools and the wider community. Contributors provide a concise overview of the evidence base, identifying current barriers to good mental health in policy and service provision, and highlighting examples of initiatives proven to be successful. Examples are drawn from from health, social care, youth justice and education settings with a focus on preventative and early intervention measures.

This book is a rich resource for all professionals concerned with child wellbeing, including service providers, commissioners, professionals and students. It should serve as essential reading for students on mental health training courses.

Table of Contents

1. Risk factors, protective factors and resilience: how we can nurture psychological wellbeing in children and young people - Julia Faulconbridge, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Nottingham, Katie Hunt, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Nottingham Amanda Laffan, Bath Specialist Paediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) Service, and Duncan Law, Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families, London, with Iyabo Fatimilehin, Just Psychology CIC, Manchester;
2. Working psychologically with infants, parents and families in the perinatal period - Ruth Butterworth, Cheshire and Mersey Specialist Perinatal Service, Manchester, Ruth O'Shaughnessy, Fresh CAMHS, Alder Hey Children's NHSFT, Liverpool, and Michael Galbraith, Liverpool Parent Infant Partnership;
3. Building sustainable parent interventions in Early Years - Caroline White, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust;
4. Enhancing effective psychological care for families in Primary Care and Community Child Health: Opportunities for integration - Jaime Craig, Family Psychology Services Ltd, Liverpool;
5. Promoting psychological health and early intervention in schools - Joe Hickey, Islington CAMHS, London, Anna Picciotto, Community CAMH, London, Waveney Patel, City and Hackney CAMHS, London and Katie Hunt;
6. Promoting the psychological health of children and young people in hospital and with long term physical health conditions: evidence, theory & practice of effective integrated care - Sara O'Curry and Sally Benson, Paediatric Psychology and Counselling Service, Cambridge;
7. Creating change that works for vulnerable families: effective psychological services for children, young people and families involved with youth justice and social care - Jenny Taylor and Lisa Shostak, Clinical Psychologist, London;
8. People in their whole context: promoting social justice and community psychology as a means to prevent psychological distress and improve wellbeing for children, young people and their families - Laura Casale, Natalie Seymour, Mark Chentite and Sally Zlotowitz, MAC-UK, London;
9. Visions for the future - Julia Faulconbridge, Katie Hunt, Amanda Laffan and Duncan Law