
Understanding Parent Blame
Institutional Failure and Complex Trauma
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 24. July 2025
Book
Hardback
198 pages
978-1-4473-7522-7 (ISBN)
Description
Blame the parents. It's a common reaction to any failure in children's behaviour or to their safety, and yet so many issues - from education and economic to social care and mental health - arise from the failure of the state to provide adequate support to children and their families.
This edited collection brings together academics, practitioners and activists along with contributions from parents and young people who have experienced the trauma of being caught up in the process of blame. It explores the nature and causes of parent blame and interrogates its prevalence, impact and potential pathways for reform.
This edited collection brings together academics, practitioners and activists along with contributions from parents and young people who have experienced the trauma of being caught up in the process of blame. It explores the nature and causes of parent blame and interrogates its prevalence, impact and potential pathways for reform.
Reviews / Votes
"A comprehensive, well-documented book that explains the 'negative' impact current policies, procedures and practices have on those the state is meant to be supporting." BASW Professional Social Work magazineMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
1 s/w Abbildung
1 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-7522-7 (9781447375227)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
07/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€36.50
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
07/2025
1st Edition
Policy Press
€37.99
Available for download
Persons
Luke Clements is Cerebra Professor of Law and Social Justice at the University of Leeds.
Ana Laura Aiello is Cerebra Postdoctoral Researcher in Law and Social Justice at the University of Leeds.
Ana Laura Aiello is Cerebra Postdoctoral Researcher in Law and Social Justice at the University of Leeds.
Editor
University of Leeds
University of Leeds
Contributions
Emeritus Professor at University of Lancashire, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation (The CBF)
Define Fine
Parent and Carer Alliance
Content
1. Introduction - Luke Clements and Ana Laura Aiello
2. Recurring themes: parent blame and systems-generated trauma - Luke Clements and Ana Laura Aiello
3. Parent blame and complex trauma - Peter Baker, Linda Hume and Vivien Cooper
4. Parent blame in education: working together to find solutions to school attendance difficulties - Louise Parker Engels
5. That woman! - Amy Payne (pseudonym)
6. Fabricated or induced illness: the controversial history, missing evidence base and iatrogenic harm - Andy Bilson, Alessandro Talia, Taliah Drayak, Mary Margaret (pseudonym), Sarah Smith (pseudonym) and Michelle Spence
7. Managing the data: allegations that parents are fabricating or inducing their child's illness - Luke Clements, Ana Laura Aiello and Derek Tilley
8. Child protection and the experiences of autistic parents accused of fabricated or induced illness - Cathleen Long, Rachel Gavin and Esther Whitney
9. A sibling perspective on fabricated or induced illness - Kaydence Drayak
10. Parent blame and the NHS - Amy (pseudonym)
11. Forging an Alliance - Lucy Fullard
12. Conclusions: The way forward - Luke Clements, Ana Laura Aiello, Louise Arnold and Lucy Fullard
2. Recurring themes: parent blame and systems-generated trauma - Luke Clements and Ana Laura Aiello
3. Parent blame and complex trauma - Peter Baker, Linda Hume and Vivien Cooper
4. Parent blame in education: working together to find solutions to school attendance difficulties - Louise Parker Engels
5. That woman! - Amy Payne (pseudonym)
6. Fabricated or induced illness: the controversial history, missing evidence base and iatrogenic harm - Andy Bilson, Alessandro Talia, Taliah Drayak, Mary Margaret (pseudonym), Sarah Smith (pseudonym) and Michelle Spence
7. Managing the data: allegations that parents are fabricating or inducing their child's illness - Luke Clements, Ana Laura Aiello and Derek Tilley
8. Child protection and the experiences of autistic parents accused of fabricated or induced illness - Cathleen Long, Rachel Gavin and Esther Whitney
9. A sibling perspective on fabricated or induced illness - Kaydence Drayak
10. Parent blame and the NHS - Amy (pseudonym)
11. Forging an Alliance - Lucy Fullard
12. Conclusions: The way forward - Luke Clements, Ana Laura Aiello, Louise Arnold and Lucy Fullard