This fully revised and expanded edition considers the meaning of 'vulnerability' – a key concept in early intervention – and the relationship between vulnerability and the individual, communities and society. It includes new chapters on children’s voices, young people and vulnerability, and working with vulnerable parents.
Introducing students to a broad debate around what constitutes vulnerability and related concepts such as risk and resilience, it examines how vulnerability has been conceptualised by policy makers with a clear focus on early intervention for preventing social problems later in life. It adopts a case study approach, using chapters examining the concept of vulnerability from sociological, psychological and social policy perspectives before looking at examples around leaving care, victims of violence, sexual abuse, and the Internet.
Graham Brotherton works in Academic Partnerships at Leeds Trinity University, UK.
Mark Cronin is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Care at Newman University.