Book Review: The British Betrayal of Childhood. Challenging Uncomfortable Truths and Bringing About Change

Al Aynsley Green 2018

The British Betrayal of Childhood. Challenging Uncomfortable Truths and Bringing About Change 1^st Edition

Promoting the health and wellbeing in children is of high priority in health promotion. This wide ranging and challenging book can be recommended to all involved in working with children. Below are two selected reviews.

“Sir Al has been a staunch champion of children throughout a long and distinguished career. Here in typically robust style he explains why children matter. And why he believes the UK is making a tragic mistake in failing to recognise the overriding importance of safeguarding their physical and emotional wellbeing. This is a must read for policy makers, healthcare professionals, educationalists, and parents”

Professor Susan White, Professor Social Work, University of Sheffield

“This book makes a compelling case about the need for action. Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green gives a very powerful and personal examination of whether we are creating the right environment for children and young people to flourish. The verdict is worrying. Public policy and leadership has had significant flaws and in some cases wrong headed attitudes about what children need. There are reasons to be hopeful but there is much to do. Al brings a host of good ideas from the UK and abroad to suggest positive actions that could make a difference. This adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that as a society we need to act”

Nigel Edwards, Chief Executive, Nuffield Trust, UK