Book Review Of Residential Children's Homes And The Youth Justice System By Julie Shaw

Julie Shaw's Residential Children`s Homes and the Youth Justice System is a much needed addition to the area of criminology and youth justice. As is apparent from the title, the book focuses on children in care: their experiences of care homes, interactions with the criminal justice system, and personal reflections on self and identity. The relatively limited criminological research in this area is surprising, especially when one considers that 24% of English prisoners have been in care at least once during their childhoods (Ministry of Justice 2012), Shaw's account, then, is a welcome addition to the field, providing an academically rigorous analysis of the subject-matter.

The book is divided into three principal sections: 'Part I: Setting the Scene', 'Part II: Research Findings' and 'Part III: Conclusions'. Each of these is subdivided into further sub-sections. In Part I, Shaw begins by presenting a summarized account of the historical experiences of socially deprived children in England. This includes detailing governmental responses to provide support to such children. She goes onto outline more recent developments around the rights of the child, including specific statutory instruments and the UN's efforts to place 'the child' at the centre of such legislation. Like the preceding historical narrative, these sections of the chapter are easy to digest, focus on the appropriate issues, and contain enough detail to be informative, but not so much as to bewilder the reader. Shaw then moves onto critiquing more recent governments' efforts on children's rights. This portion of the chapter seems less balanced, with the author criticizing the efforts of several governments without much evidence. For example, on p.32 she accuses the Coalition government of presiding "over a period of economic slowdown [and] social disturbance.which has impacted negatively upon the lives of many children", yet on the next page states that "in June 2013, the government announced an additional £200 million would be invested in the [troubled families] scheme". This is not the only example of political criticisms that are unsupported by the evidence, something which seems out of place in an otherwise meticulously researched book. An example of this detailed research is at the conclusion of Part I, where Shaw pithily outlines the theoretical perspectives which underpin the book, and describes in detail the methodology employed throughout the study. The time taken by the author to describe her methodological approach - including justifications for using this approach and details of her sample - will prove useful to any academics or students who wish to engage with the text.

Part II presents the findings of this study, and whilst it is clear that the results are not really intended for a lay audience, there are substantial research findings which students, practitioners and policy makers will find useful. The section is divided into several thematic areas, and the 'voices' of participants are clear throughout this part of the book. Moreover, the results are well analysed, giving appropriate emphasis to the perspectives of children in care as well as a reasoned analysis of the issues raised. Shaw is careful to not just include the responses of children in care, but also of social workers, residential care workers and other practitioners. These multiple perspectives add to the validity of the data, and their inclusion illustrates Shaw's recognition that those who work in residential children's home offer useful information on the subject-matter. Part II of the book is also easy to read, with Shaw sub-dividing each section and blending in the primary data well with analysis and references to existing research. A particular strength of this section is the detailed analysis of the role police play within the care system, including the 'normalization' of police-presence in such institutions. Again, Shaw is careful to present multiple perspectives - including from magistrates, solicitors and police officers themselves. This - combined with references to policy documents and other statutory instruments - creates data triangulation, something which adds to the validity of the findings, and makes the conclusions more convincing. If there is one criticism of Part II, it is the limited references made to sexual exploitation of children in care. Although there is a brief mention of historical institutional abuse and gangs targeting children in care (p.140), it would have been wise to include more on this topic, perhaps questioning care workers and other adult participants as to their opinions on this issue.

However, any such omissions are not a substantial weakness, especially when one considers the detailed conclusions and recommendations in Part III of the book. Shaw is able to synthesize her findings with existing policy, summarizing current practices as well as recommending future steps which should be taken by children's homes. The conclusion of this book contains ample information, and could be of real benefit to practitioners and the care system itself. Shaw's concluding remarks reflect the fact that she is comfortable with applying her findings to the 'real world' and that this book is not purely an academic text. This is something which is apparent throughout the book; and, along with the importance given to the children's voices, is the standout feature of the text. Like much of the book, Part III feels contemporary, is easy to read and demonstrates the author's expertise in the subject matter.

Residential Children`s Homes and the Youth Justice System reads as an informative text, full of contemporary information and detailed analysis. Although the book would have benefitted from a wider ranging literature review, this is one of the few criticisms that can be levelled at it. Overall, Shaw ensures that there is ample detail and vivid first-hand accounts from children in care. Through this primary data, the author is able to show that children in care can be both the victims and perpetrators of criminal and delinquent activity. Shaw does not overly rely on her own past research, and ensures that a multiplicity of views are included to give a fresh feel to the text. This book will provide both students and practitioners a comprehensive account of the experiences of children in care.

References Ministry of Justice Research Series 2/11. March 2012. Prisoners' childhood and family backgrounds. Results from Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction (SPCR) longitudinal cohort study of prisoners. London: Ministry of Justice.