Moving Toward Positive Systems of Child and Family Welfare: Current Issues and Future Directions.

Henry G. MacLeod teaches sociology at both Trent University and the
University of

Waterloo.

The editors and contributors to this volume have broadened the perspective of writings on child welfare and protection to include family realities, the role and daily lives of family members in child protection, and child mental health issues. The goal is to work with the parents and families to address service responses in child welfare. The essays contained in Moving toward Positive Systems of Child and Family Welfare were prepared as part of program of research for the Partnerships for Children and Families Project, a Community University Research Alliance funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities and Research Council of Canada from 2000 to 2005. It is a valuable resource for those involved in the care and treatment of children at risk and interested in the relationship to family welfare as well as for professionals and students.

The papers are all well done, but some will be of more interest to readers, depending upon their areas of concern. For example, the first chapter contrasts the Anglo-American child-protection model with various European approaches and the community healing/caring model developed by Aboriginal communities and identifies possibilities for positive improvements to the current paradigm. As well, there is a separate chapter on Aboriginal child welfare. Another example is the inclusion of an excellent article on preventing burnout and employee turnover among child welfare workers that will have a great appeal to managers in these organizations. Each essay has its own bibliography.

The book makes a strong contribution to our understanding of the Canadian child and family welfare system. Those involved with children’s aid societies or family service agencies will find this a useful work to consult or add to their library and will applaud the efforts of the editors.