First published in 1985, The Child in Context is the first to bring together the practice of educational psychology and the ‘family-systems’ theories regularly practised by psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers in their attempt to understand the relationship between individuals and the social systems of which they are a part. The author, an educational psychologist herself, demonstrates how the educational psychologist can, in her efforts to help children who are failing in mainstream education, incorporate an understanding of family processes into her work with the child and his family. This integrative approach is also applied to the other system—the school—to which the child belongs, and to the interrelationship between different professionals involved in the management of the child.

This book was written in the wake of the 1981 Education Act, at a time when educational psychologists were increasing their contact with parents. The discussion is illustrated with examples from the writer’s own experience with children of various ages and nationalities and covers a wide variety of behavioural and developmental difficulties.

John McColgan earned a Ph.D. in Modern Irish History and a Diploma in Archival Studies from the National University of Ireland. He has contributed to various journals including Irish Historical Studies, Administration and Irish Archives Bulletin.