?Children? have long been a central concern within social policy, with rhetoric about the welfare and interests of children commonplace. Traditionally, however, children have not been considered stakeholders in social planning or policy. Rather, they are construed as victims, beneficiaries or passive recipients. While such constructions continue, there has been a radical reappraisal in some quarters, based largely on ideas about the human rights of children embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This has opened the way for greater recognition of the complexities of children?s roles within societies.

This course aims to critically explore and challenge conventional concepts about child welfare, child protection and children?s place in society ? and resulting social policies. It will give students an opportunity to explore and analyse emerging approaches to children and social policy in both ?developed? and ?developing? countries.

Topics covered include:

• Critiques of child welfare
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Children and citizenship
• The best interests principle
• Parental and family roles and rights
• The impact of social policy on children
• Child protection
• Support for ?children at risk?
• Ethical approaches to working with children