List of contributors. Preface. Introductory Chapter Every Child Matters: Setting the Context for the 'Hard to Reach' (Martin Hughes). 1 Underachieving Pupils, Underachieving Schools: What Pupils Have to Say (Lynn Turner). 2 Impression Management: Understanding and Enabling Children’s Perception of Competence (Stephanie James). 3 Containing the Emotional Needs of Adolescent Boys 'at Risk of Exclusion' in Mainstream Schools (Kathryn Anne Pomerantz). 4 WhatWorks in Reintegration Following Exclusion: Supporting the Parts Only Peers can Reach (Jackie Lown). 5 'Hard to Reach' Migrant Children (Peter Lloyd Bennett and Jane Reid). 6 A Seminar Approach to Multi-Agency Collaboration, Team Building and Therapeutic Group Problem-Solving Where Some Attendees Might be Described as 'Hard to Reach' (Michael Pomerantz). 7 Reaching Pupils on the Autistic Spectrum: Parents' Experiences, Provision and 'Professional Reachability' (Brian Willis). 8 Exploring Joined-up Solutions for a Child with Complex Needs (Heather Northcote). 9 Engaging the Hardest to Reach Parents in Parenting-Skills Programmes (Nicola McGrath). 10 Whose Voice is it Anyway? (Mary Chilokoa and Jane McKie). Concluding Chapter Validating and Using Children's Views: Professional Dilemmas about Working Inside Agencies (David Thompson and Jo Holt). Glossary. Appendix 1 Bibliography of Key Documents. Appendix 2 Searching for Explanations and Responsibilities as to Why Some Clients May be 'Hard to Reach'. Appendix 3 Developing Good Practice with 'Hard to Reach' Children and Families. Index.

How to Reach ‘Hard to Reach’ Children addresses core underlying difficulties affecting children and young people in the community and in schools, relating to underachievement, disengagement and school avoidance.  It explores the consequences of school exclusion and the practices that can enhance the inclusion of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs. The book offers new and creative approaches to promoting multi-agency teamwork in relation to working with looked after children, refugees and asylum seekers and those with challenging behaviour and autism, and their families.  Its contribution is timely now that the government’s new agenda ‘Every Child Matters’ is becoming a reality. Written by experts who have worked for many years with children and young people in an educational context, the book highlights the views of children, young people and their families.  It gives a powerful insight as to how the government’s five outcomes can be realised by children who are hard to see, hard to find, hard to engage, hard to manage, hard to change or retain within systems set up to help and educate them. The emphasis throughout the book is of multidisciplinary teamwork, collaboration and the validation of children’s views.  It will show professionals how they can work most effectively for the benefit of children and young people, who are among the most vulnerable in our Society.

"I would highly recommend this book to any professional working with children." (Professional Social Work, June 2008) "Written for professionals working in the community and in schools and those engaged in promoting a multi-agency approach." (Special, March 2008)