What assistance can be provided to disadvantaged youngsters to help them conquer the many challenges they face while growing up? At-Risk Children & Youth: Resiliency Explored analyzes the results from accumulated research on the risk and resiliency of children and youth in Ireland. Author Niall McElwee explains many of the challenges faced by children, including poor literacy and numeracy skills, poverty, distrust, and other difficult issues. Practical strategies are presented to help disadvantaged children and youth to overcome societal and self-imposed barriers for improvement. A detailed review and assessment is provided on the efficacy of Ireland’s Youth Encounter Projects. This important resource focuses on what works and what does not in youth services.

At-Risk Children & Youth: Resiliency Explored closely examines risk factors, and what it specifically means to be ‘at-risk’. Going further beyond the standard risk factors usually considered such as drug use or dropping-out of school, this probing text explores the full range of factors and coping and healing mechanisms. The author challenges several of the views and beliefs about risk and resiliency generally held by many in child and youth services and in society. This book is extensively referenced and includes helpful figures tables to clearly present information.

Topics in At-Risk Children & Youth: Resiliency Explored include:

• A breakdown of terms for risk behaviors and predictors of risk
• Issues of social class and social exclusion
• The impact of school difficulties on students, including truancy and poor academic standing
• Strategies to build on student strengths
• The quality of the entirety of the school experience as a determination of success
• Strategies for intervention
• A review of literature on risk and resiliency
• A relational research model, including methodology and ethical issues
• Description and functions of Youth Encounter Projects—and an assessment of their value
• Results of risk studies over the past decade
• Recommended changes in policies

At-Risk Children & Youth: Resiliency Explored is a valuable addition to the libraries of educators, students, and child and youth service providers everywhere.