Considering the rights of the child is now central to all fields involving children and to good multi-agency working. This book offers an explanation of the theoretical issues and the key policy developments that are crucial to all professions, and helps the reader to understand children's rights in relation to their role in working with children and young people. Looking at education, health, social care and welfare, it bridges the gap between policy and practice for children from Birth to 19 years.

Chapters cover:

- the child's right to play

- youth justice and children's rights

- the voice of the child

- ethical dilemmas in different contexts

- involvement, participation and decision making

- safeguarding and child protection

- social justice and exclusion

This book helps the reader understand what constitutes good practice, whilst considering the advantages and tensions involved in working across disciplines to implement children's rights against a complex legislative and social policy backdrop.

Essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students on Early Years, Early Childhood Studies, Childhood and Youth, Education, Law, Social Work, Play and Psychology courses, it is relevant to professionals working across education, health and social work.

• COVER 2
• Contents 9
• About the Editors and Contributors 11
• Preface 16
• PART 1: Children’s Rights in Practice:an Overview of Key Themes and Debates 17
• 1. What Are Children’s Rights? Contemporary Developments and Debates 19
• 2. Child Rights and Their Practical Application: Definitions,Questions and Practice 33
• 3. Children’s Rights: Social Justice and Exclusion 48
• 4. Participation and Provision across Disciplines: Child Rights for, and by, Children 59
• 5. Safeguarding and Protection: What Does a Rights-Based Approach Mean across Different Disciplines? 73
• PART 2: Rights and Service Provision: Areas of Practice 85
• 6. The Child’s Right to Play: Rhetoric or Reality? 87
• 7. What Does the ‘Voice of the Child’ Mean for Children with Complex Learning and Communication Impairments? 98
• 8. Rights in Early Years Settings and a Young Child’s Right to Silence 111
• 9. Education and Children’s Rights 125