Recently I attended a symposium on the benefits and liabilities of family preservation and reunification programs. It prompted me to read the above critical analysis which attempts to reinforce a new direction for child protection agencies. This new direction suggests that the cause of abuse prevention will be greatly furthered by examining and developing social supports for high risk families. What I found most helpful in this book is the way in which the broad concept of social supports is unpacked, to reveal its multifaceted nature.

In the book, Thompson makes the claim that there is no straight forward association between social networks, social support and psychological well-being. The idea is put forward, that the creation of meaningful associations within a social network (i.e. ones that will provide support and be accepted) will require careful thought, assessment and planning. Although this book does not provide tools for social network assessment, it is particularly helpful in identifying the many dimensions of support.

As we all know, there can be no single intervention that provides the supportive strategy that will be effective, but a variety of complementary strategies are needed. This book begins to point to the need for a "reformed" protection agency which would focus on prevention while devoting itself exclusively to the now secondary goals of family support. Since there is nothing simple or straightforward about the social circumstances of maltreating families or the problems that contribute to child abuse and neglect, a multi strategy approach will be required to address the needs and challenges of these families. This is also what I was hearing loud and clear at the symposium I attended in Winnipeg recently. In a way, this book requires everyone in the child protection field to reexamine their mandates and their organisational priorities. Can it be done in a context of decreased funding? Good question.

I've rated this book 8 out of 10 especially because of its challenge to my thinking about child welfare matters. I would have liked more tools to do social network assessment, perhaps another book?