Building resilience in families

Thursday 28 May 2009

Parental mental illness and substance misuse is a growing cause of concern, with such difficulties being recorded in at least a third of cases where families are referred to social services due to child protection concerns. Yet some children are more affected by these issues than others.

Resilience in children under these circumstances is shaped by a number of factors, but this information is only useful if these factors can be influenced and such knowledge translated into effective service interventions.

Building Resilience in Families Under Stress is a new handbook in NCB's toolkit series. It emerged from NCB's two-year  project 'Building Resilience and Supporting Relationships in Families under Stress' managed by Emma Sawyer, author of the book and senior development officer at NCB. The handbook explores how professionals can effectively support parenting in these families and, in turn, improve the welfare of children and young people.

Sheryl Burton, director of social inclusion at NCB, said: "Working with families affected by parental mental health and/or substance misuse problems is extremely challenging and professionals need assistance to bolster their capacity, knowledge and confidence.

"Building Resilience in Families Under Stress provides constructive, practical information to help professionals more effectively support parenting in safeguarding children's welfare in these highly complex, stressful situations."

NCB has provided a copy of the handbook to all directors of children's services and chairs of local safeguarding boards. The handbook is also relevant to students and academics in social policy, and professionals who are involved in providing services to families with parental mental illness and substance misuse.

For more information visit www.ncb.org.uk/books call 0845 458 9910 or email ncb@centralbooks.com. Price £20.00 / NCB members £16.00