Book review: The British Betrayal of Childhood

The British Betrayal of Childhood Al Aynsley-Green Routledge £13.99 | 246pp ISBN:9781138297920

This inspirational and sometimes uncomfortable read challenges many core beliefs about childhood.

The author has a conversational style, drawing on his considerable experience as a clinician and commissioner for children. He takes the reader with him on a journey of illumination and discovery.

At the heart of the book is a description of the correlation between adverse experiences in childhood, the failure of policy makers to make special provision for children and the potential failure to achieve a healthy adult population.

The author is especially disappointed that the 2004-2014 National Service Framework, which was initially mandatory, became merely aspirationa, thereby hindering any impetus to enshrine it in practice.

The statistics are disquieting: one in ten children have a mental health disorder, one in six live in poverty, one