No one really knows how many unaccompanied asylum seeking children there are in the UK. Many receive a patchwork of support services from both central and local government agencies, which operate under a contradictory and conflicting legislative framework. This is the context in which social workers try to deliver a service. This work is not considered part of mainstream children's social work in most local authorities, so for social workers this is a book of rare informed guidance and analysis.
The heart of this book is chapter six, where social work is conceptualised into three domains: cohesion, connection and coherence, and how they relate. The relationship between the young person and social worker is also examined.
Among many conclusions reached, it is rewarding that author Dr Ravi Kohli finds resettlement practice by social workers to be more positive and complex than previous research in this field, noting that practice does largely focus on the principle of "children first and foremost" as contained within European and national guidance. As we move into a new era of practice, with the full UK implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, social work will not become easier. Specialist literature for social workers is scarce, making Kohli's work an asset and this book essential reading.
