Homeless youth - J. van der Ploeg

This wide-ranging book analyzes the problem of youth homelessness in the western world. Taking into account psychological characteristics while highlighting the major risk factors in the family, at school and in society at large, the authors offer both practitioners and policymakers tools for dealing with all aspects of this issue.

Within a clear conceptual and theoretical framework, Jan van der Ploeg and Evert Scholte define the phenomenon of homelessness, drawing on data from across Europe and North America to establish its scope and prevalence among young people today. Always alive to the practical implications of their analysis, they provide a thorough and comprehensive strategy for addressing the plight of the homeless in which prevention and intervention go hand-in-hand.

`I found it challenging, thought-provoking and refreshing. It is particularly attractive as the authors provide a clear theoretical paradigm from which to consider the issue' -
British Journal of Special Education

`This book provides a wide-ranging and well-organized review of recent research into youth homelessness and includes sections on the problems of offering an adequate definition and estimation of youth homelessness. There is also discussion of the plethora of other "problem behaviours" associated with homelessness as well as chapters on theories and explanations of youth homelessness. The final sections of the book deal with the efficacy of existing prevention programmes and how these could be improved by the development of a more comprehensive, long term and multi-agency approach. This book is valuable as it outlines in a concise and engaging way a wealth of studies into homelessness from around the world... a valuable contribution to the study of homelessness and vulnerable youth as it is one of the few studies which situates these issues in a global context. Furthermore, it is written in a straightforward and accessible way, it will appeal to a broad range of academics, youth workers and students interested in the study of youth homelessness' - Youth and Policy