I have worked with Patrick Tomlinson on many books, and it is always a genuine pleasure. Patrick is both knowledgeable, with a deep understanding of his subject area, and a skilled writer.
In his books he communicates complex ideas and concepts in a clear and structured way and always with a keen awareness of the needs of his readers, and publishers’ commercial concerns.
I have always found Patrick to be reliable, conscientious and thoughtful in my dealings with him, and value him as a source of advice.
Stephen Jones - Senior Commissioning Editor, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, UK and USA
Books
Barton, S., Gonzalez, R. and Tomlinson, P. (2011) Therapeutic Residential Care for Children and Young People: An Attachment and Trauma-informed Model for Practice, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley, also translated and published in Japan (2013)
"All of the theoretical content is presented coherently, with accessible language and a minimum of jargon… From the introduction through the final appendices, I was struck by the constant and integrated presence of thinking, feeling and reflection as integral to meeting the needs of young people, whether at an individual or organisational level...... This book offers vision and motivation to those with requisite courage to work towards a more humane system of care for children and young people."
Laura Steckley, Course Director, MSc Advanced Residential Child Care, Glasgow School of Social Work, in: The British Journal of Social Work, February 2013
"This is one of those rare books that successfully brings together the human and the academic. It provides a comprehensive and clear account of the theoretically based model of care used by the Lighthouse Community, whilst bringing this to life with the real-life stories of young people and carers involved with this organisation. Theory and concepts are described clearly and with understanding, but most importantly the authors have illustrated how these are used in practice to transform the lives of young people and carers alike. This book belongs in the collections of all practitioners involved with traumatized children and young people living in residential care."
Kim S. Golding, Clinical Psychologist and author of Nurturing Attachments, 2011
"In Australia, the most clearly articulated model of Therapeutic Residential Care is that offered by the Lighthouse Foundation (Ainsworth 2012; Barton, Gonzales and Tomlinson 2012) that owes much to the Cotswold Community in the UK."
McNamara, P.M. in, A New Era in the Development of Therapeutic Child Care in the State of Victoria, in, Whittaker, J.K., del Valle, J.F. and Holmes, L. (2015) Therapeutic Residential Care for Children: Developing Evidence-Based International Practice, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"The simplicity in presentation, however, demonstrates one of the key achievements of the authors in having been able to present so much potentially complex theory in a way that is accessible and of great practical use…In conclusion the authors achieve their aims and more by providing some sound knowledge, inspiration and food for thought for anyone with an interest in residential child Care."
Mark Hardy, Children and Families Social Worker, Edinburgh
"It is a long overdue contribution towards the theory base required to equip people working in multiple roles in environments that aim to be healing in its broadest sense. I enjoyed it as much for the elements of human testimony as for the attempts made to link eclectic theory with practice…In many ways this book provides all the key theoretical ingredients required to ‘bake’ a good quality treatment or enabling environment for children, young people and adults."
Stuart Hannah, Social Worker and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, UK, in, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Vol. 26, No. 2, June 2012,174-175
"The strength of "Therapeutic residential care for children and young people" lies in the warmth, hope and mindfulness that the authors are able to convey through their writing style, with the inclusion of case examples, and the skilled synthesis of theory and practical input. Whilst some areas might seem somewhat elementary the overall package is a wonderfully accessible resource for those working within children’s homes and places of safety. However, the value of this book is not just limited to the residential sector: the clear, concise theoretical framework coupled with practical and sound guidance on working with children makes this book essential reading for many working within the child care sector and, perhaps of more importance, those holding decision making roles in policy and legislation".
Rosa Kraus, South Africa, in, Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, March 2014, 26:2, p.159-160, NISC (Pty) Ltd and Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group
Tomlinson, P. and Philpot, T. (2007) A Child’s Journey to Recovery: Assessment and Planning in Work with Traumatized Children, Tomlinson, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"I would encourage directors of programs such as the one on which this book is based to distribute it widely among their staffs and to expect, as a result, to see improvements in the lives of patients."
Nancy Burke, in, PsycCRITIQUES, American Psychological Association, 2008
"This a short and clearly written book which firmly follows child-centred and evidence-based practice to outline an integrated approach to the assessment and therapy of very disturbed children. It draws on current social work thinking but also includes insights from residential and educational settings…Most Cafcass practitioners will find new, useful and interesting ideas in this book, and should be able to apply them in their work, particularly with older children, in both public and private law."
Reviewed in, CAFCASS Publication Channel C
"This particular book is a sensitive and comprehensive description of assessment revealing the crucial importance of getting it right for the wellbeing of the child. There is a particularly helpful appendix which shows the progress of one child over a period of time and how she has been assessed at different stages…I think this book would help all counsellors (whether working with children or adults) in rethinking how we initially engage with clients and carry out our initial assessment. I certainly have decided to read all the books in this series."
Reviewed in, Accord Magazine
Tomlinson, P. (2004) Therapeutic Approaches in Work with Traumatized Children and Young People - Theory and Practice, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"At times of financial constraints for therapeutic residential facilities for traumatised young people, this is a refreshing "back to basics" approach, writes Panos Vostanis. Such children have complex emotional, behavioural and social needs. The text draws on the author’s experience and wealth of material from staff discussions…The additional material on child-adult, staff dynamics, supervision and management, will be of great interest to a wide range of residential staff, social workers, foster carers, therapists and educationalists caring for or working with emotionally needy children and young people."
Panos Vostanis - professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, University of Leicester, in, Community Care, online January 2005
Series editor of 4 books below, delivering recovery for traumatized children, SACCS, UK
Rose, R. and Philpot, T. (2005) The Child’s Own Story: Life Story Work with Traumatized Children, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley
"This is an excellent guide for professionals undertaking life story work with children or practitioners working with traumatized children. It has useful sections on general work with children. For example, it briefly outlines attachment theory and breaks down the process of interviewing, offering advice about each stage. It is easy to read and the format makes it simple to find or recap particular sections."
Rebecca Eden, in, Community Care July 2006
"This is a valuable and must have resource for all those who work with and alongside traumatized children and young people… As a therapist working with displaced refugee and asylum-seeking children who have often suffered multiple trauma’s in home country, journey to U.K., and in U.K., I feel this book has much to offer in developing the ‘Child’s Own Story’."
Carl Dutton - Project Therapist, Liverpool Haven for Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Children, in, British Psychodrama Journal, Summer 2005
"Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do, it’s easy to read and a good reference for multi-disciplinary teams of staff and foster carers alike."
Melanie Morgan RN RMN DATS, in, Adoption and Fostering on the Internet January 2006
Rymaszewska, J. and Philpot, T. (2005) Reaching the Vulnerable Child: Therapy with Traumatized Children, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley
"This book is illustrated throughout with stories of recovering children, alongside descriptions of a wide range of techniques using expressive arts and play to foster both verbal and non-verbal communication, and explanations about the impact of abuse on a child’s development… This book can be dipped into or read from cover to cover, a boon for any busy therapist or social worker wishing to develop therapy It also provides exercises for the reader so that they are in touch with a child’s feelings and predicaments. It is well worth adding to your library."
Lynne Fordyce - East Leeds PCT, in, Community Care May 2006
Pughe, B. and Philpot, T. (2007) Living Alongside a Child’s Recovery: Therapeutic Parenting with Traumatized Children, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"The authors demonstrate throughout the book a deeply thoughtful and patient approach, which helps us see a traumatised child’s behaviour as a communication, to be understood and given meaning, however destructive or neglectful it may be. Short vignettes drawn from casework illuminate and amplify our understanding…By the end of the book, we can begin to imagine the world of a severely abused child and those who care for them, and respond helpfully. This is a useful process for any counsellor/psychotherapist as well as specialist workers such as foster carers, social workers and counsellors/psychotherapists supporting fostering and adoptive placements."
Linda Bean - BACP accredited counsellor/psychotherapist, in, Counselling Children and Young People
Thomas, M. and Philpot, T. (2009) Fostering a Child’s Recovery: Family Placement for Traumatized Children, London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"It’s a useful overview to show how the odds are stacked against traumatised children and how to plan and manage placements perfectly to prevent further problems."
Janet Edwards, Counsellor, Therapist and Foster Carer, in, Counselling Children and Young People, 2009
Papers and Book Chapters
What is Institutionalising for 'Looked After' Children and Young People? (2022) Emma Blakemore, Sir Martin Narey, Patrick Tomlinson & John Whitwell, in, Journal of Social Work Practice, Taylor & Francis (2022 02 22)
The interest in writing this followed conversations between the authors. Our collective experience in human services spans, residential care, foster care, prison service, and social work, among others. While these are diverse services, we realised we share similar views and concerns about the issue of institutionalisation. Namely, that the term is used simplistically as if the nature of a setting is the determining factor rather than the quality of culture and practice that takes place in any of the above settings. We aim to draw attention to these issues, challenge certain myths, and encourage a more thoughtful and helpful approach.
4 Chapters (2 co-authored with Ivone Soares de Almeida, Carla Cabral, Maria João Cruz, Liliana Resende, from Lar de Nossa Sr.ª do Livramento in Porto) in, Peixoto, C.S. and Oliveira, M.S. (Editors) Residential Reception of Children and Youth in Danger - Concepts, Practice and Intervention (Acolhimento Residencial de Criancas e Jovens em Perigo) (2021)
This book is the first major publication on therapeutic residential care for children and young people in Portugal. The Chapters are,
- Assessment Of Needs
- Transition Planning - Leaving a Residential Care Home
- Process of Building a Therapeutic Intervention Model in a Residential Care Home (co-authored)
- Bridges with the Community (co-authored)
Lopes, R. and Tomlinson, P. (2023) Management And Leadership In Trauma Services: A Reflection on Individual And Organizational Factors, in, Children at Risk and Danger – Vol. 6: Contexts, Research and Intervention, Magalhães, E., Monteiro, L. and Calheiros, M. M. (Editors), Lisboa: Edições Sílabo
Tomlinson, P. in, Treisman, K. (2021) What is Important in Leadership of Trauma Services?, in, Treisman, K. (2021) A Treasure Box for Creating Trauma-Informed Organizations: Volumes 1 & 2, Vol. 2, pp. 64-66, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
This Treasure Box book is packed full of valuable resources from bestselling and award-winning author, trainer, organizational consultant, and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Karen Treisman, and will show you how to weave a deep understanding of trauma and adversity into the daily practice and the whole fabric of your organization.
Tomlinson, P. (2020) Mental Health Needs of Children in Care: Interview with Mr Patrick Tomlinson by Leena Prasad, in Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond, Journal 7(2), pp.128-140, 2020, Udayan Care and Sage Publications: India Download
Boldis, I. and Tomlinson, P. (2014) Reunification of the Children from Foster Care with the Biological Families: A Short Investigation regarding Romanian Biological Parents’ Characteristics, in Revista de Asistenta Sociala, anul XIII, nr. 1/2014, pp. 79-89
Khaleelee, O. and Tomlinson, P. (2011) Intrapsychic Factors in Staff Selection at the Cotswold Community, in Therapeutic Communities Journal, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 324-340, first published in (1997), in Therapeutic Communities Journal, Vol. 18 No. 4 Download
Tomlinson, P. (2005) The Capacity to Think: Why it is Important and what Makes it Difficult in Work with Traumatized Children, Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal for Therapeutic and Supportive Organizations, Vol. 26 No.1, pp. 41-53
Tomlinson, P. (1995) The Leader’s Part-Time Absence: Difficulties and Attempted Resolutions in a Residential Child Care Setting, in Therapeutic Communities Journal, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 179-191
Tomlinson, P. (2008) Assessing the Needs of Traumatized Children to Improve Outcomes, in Journal of Social Work Practice Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 359-374 Download
Tomlinson, P. (2008) The Experience of Breakdown And The Breakdown That Can’t Be Experienced: Implications for Work with Traumatised Children, in Journal of Social Work Practice, Vol. 22, No.1, pp. 15-25 Download
Series editor of the following 2 books
Woodhouse, S. (2019) Best Beginnings for your Baby and you: Conception, Pregnancy, Birth and Looking Ahead, UK: Troubador
"Best Beginnings is potentially world-changing. Parents deeply influence how children will experience their lives. Not everyone understands how early experience from conception patterns our brain, affects our sense of self-worth and our ability to trust and to love others. Please read this precious book when you are expecting a baby. It will support and help you to give your child the very best start in life."
Kitty Hagenbach, MA Dip.Psych. Parent- Child Psychotherapist. Pre- and Peri-natal Psychotherapy
Woodhouse, S. (2015) Sound Sleep: Calming and Helping your Baby or Child to Sleep, UK: Matador
This book offers practical tips for soothing your new baby to sleep with touch, warmth and settling routines. It helps you understand the cues your baby is giving you all the time and how best to respond to them. It describes ways to introduce a day and night rhythm for you and your baby so that broken nights and sleep starvation can become the exception rather than the rule.
"We are nervous of common sense because everything around us has become more specialised and less personal and human. ‘Right from the Start’ touches on what is common to us all: basic humanity in this very, very pressurised world."
Kate Adie, Journalist, BBC Chief News Correspondent (former)
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