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RESOURCES

reading & literature

Join our free Reading Club, explore publications by our team and browse a curated list of books, reports and articles about social pedagogy.

RESOURCES

free · online · open to all

social pedagogy reading club

Our Social Pedagogy Reading Club is a free, informal space to come together and discuss books, articles and ideas connected to social pedagogy – from theory and research to fiction and philosophy. Reading together is a way of deepening reflection and encountering new perspectives on practice.

We meet online for 90 minutes each quarter, in partnership with the Social Pedagogy Professional Association and the Global Alliance for Social Pedagogy and Social Education. Where possible, we invite authors to join us and share why their work matters for practitioners and educators. Everyone with an interest in social pedagogy is welcome, however new you are to the field.

AT A GLANCE

  • When: quarterly, 90 minutes
  • Where: online via Zoom
  • Cost: free
  • Who: open to all

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Sign up to receive details of each Reading Club session, including what we will be reading and how to join.

our own writing

publications by the ThemPra team

Books, chapters and reports written or co-written by members of our team.

  • Eichsteller, G. (2023). Social Pedagogy as a Perspective for Social Care Practice. In K. Lalor, P. Share & T. Brown (eds). Social Care Work: An Introduction for Students in Ireland, 4th ed. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration: pp. 17-30.
  • Eichsteller, G. & Holthoff, S. (2011). Social Pedagogy as an Ethical Orientation Towards Working With People – Historical Perspectives. Children Australia, 36(4), 176-186. Read →
  • Eichsteller, G. & Holthoff, S. (2011). Conceptual Foundations of Social Pedagogy: A Transnational Perspective from Germany. In C. Cameron & P. Moss (eds.), Social Pedagogy and Working with Children and Young People. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Charfe, L. & Gardner, A. (2019). Social Pedagogy and Social Work. London: SAGE.
  • Eichsteller, G. & Charfe, L. (2025). Making sense of power and politics in everyday practice through the 3 Ps. In R. Baikady, J. Przeperski, S. M. Sajid & M. R. Islam (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Power, Politics and Social Work. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Human Learning Systems Collaborative (2021). Human Learning Systems: Public Service for the Real World. ThemPra, Centre for Public Impact, Collaborate CIC, IVAR, Northumbria University and Easier Inc. Read →
  • Carter, A. & Eichsteller, G. (2017). Cultivating a Relational Universe. The Therapeutic Care Journal (6). Read →
  • Eichsteller, G. & Bradt, L. (2019). Social Pedagogy as a Meaningful Perspective for Education and Social Care. Insight Report. ThemPra. Read →
  • Eichsteller, G. & Holthoff, S. (2012). The Art of Being a Social Pedagogue – Practice Examples of Cultural Change in Children’s Homes in Essex. ThemPra. Read →
further reading

literature about social pedagogy

A selection of books, research reports and journal articles to help you explore social pedagogy further. Open each list to browse.

Books · 10 titles
  • Cameron, C. & Moss, P. (2011). Social Pedagogy and Working with Children. London: Jessica Kingsley.
  • Charfe, L. & Gardner, A. (2019). Social Pedagogy and Social Work. London: SAGE.
  • Eichsteller, G. & Bradt, L. (2019). Social Pedagogy as a Meaningful Perspective for Education and Social Care. Insight Report. ThemPra.
  • Hatton, K. (2013). Social Pedagogy in the UK: Theory and Practice. Lyme Regis: Russell House.
  • Kornbeck, J. & Rosendal Jensen, N. (2009). The Diversity of Social Pedagogy in Europe. Bremen: Europäischer Hochschulverlag.
  • Petrie, P. (2011). Communication Skills for Working with Children and Young People: Introducing Social Pedagogy. London: Jessica Kingsley.
  • Petrie, P., Boddy, J., Cameron, C., Wigfall, V. & Simon, A. (2006). Working with Children in Care – European Perspectives. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
  • Stephens, P. (2013). Social Pedagogy: Heart and Head. Bremen: Europäischer Hochschulverlag.
  • Solvason, C., Stobbs, N., & Elliott, G. (Eds.). (2025). Social Pedagogy in Education: Re-establishing Relationships and Enriching Learner Experience. Taylor & Francis.
  • Storø, J. (2013). Practical Social Pedagogy: Theories, Values and Tools for Working with Children and Young People. Bristol: Policy Press.
Reports and evaluations · 23 titles
  • Association of Directors of Children’s Services (2013). What is Care For: Alternative Models of Care for Adolescents. Manchester: ADCS.
  • Bengtsson, E., Chamberlain, C., Crimmens, D. & Stanley, J. (2008). Introducing Social Pedagogy into Residential Child Care in England. London: National Children’s Bureau. Download →
  • Berridge, D., Biehal, N., Lutman, E., Henry, L. & Palomares, M. (2011). Raising the Bar? Evaluation of the Social Pedagogy Pilot Programme in Residential Children’s Homes. London: Department for Education. Download →
  • Bowyer, S. & Wilkinson, S. (2013). Evidence Scope: Models of Adolescent Care Provision. Dartington: Research in Practice. Download →
  • Cameron, C. & Petrie, P. (2011). Social Pedagogy and Foster Care: A Scoping Study. London: Thomas Coram Research Unit. Download →
  • Cameron, C., Petrie, P., Wigfall, V., Kleipoedszus, S. & Jasper, A. (2011). Final Report of the Social Pedagogy Pilot Programme: Development and Implementation. London: Thomas Coram Research Unit. Download →
  • Children in Scotland (2010). Working it Out: Exploring the Benefits of Danish Pedagogy. Edinburgh: Children in Scotland. Download →
  • Day, L., Scott, L. & Smith, K. (2017). Evaluation of the Sefton Community Adolescent Service. Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 39. Download →
  • Eichsteller, G. & Holthoff, S. (2012). The Art of Being a Social Pedagogue – Practice Examples of Cultural Change in Children’s Homes in Essex. Allithwaite: ThemPra. Download →
  • Hannon, C., Bazalgette, L. & Wood, C. (2010). In Loco Parentis. London: Demos. Download →
  • MacDonald, G., Millen, S., McCann, M., Roscoe, H. & Ewart-Boyle, S. (2012). Therapeutic Approaches to Social Work in Residential Child Care Settings. SCIE report 58. London: SCIE. Download →
  • McDermid, S., Holmes, L. & Trivedi, H. (2014). Exploring the Costs of Head, Heart, Hands. Loughborough: Centre for Child and Family Research. Download →
  • McDermid, S., Holmes, L., Ghate, D., Trivedi, H., Blackmore, J. & Baker, C. (2016). The Evaluation of Head, Heart, Hands – Introducing Social Pedagogy into UK Foster Care. Loughborough: Centre for Child and Family Research. Download →
  • Milligan, I. (2009). Introducing Social Pedagogy into Scottish Residential Child Care: An Evaluation of the Sycamore Services Social Pedagogy Training Programme. Glasgow: SIRCC. Download →
  • Moore, N., Jakara, M., Bowie, J. & Marriott, J. (2013). Social Pedagogy: A Scoping Project for Derbyshire County Council. Derby: University of Derby. Download →
  • Paget, B., Eagle, G. & Citarella, V. (2007). Social Pedagogy and the Young People’s Workforce. London: DCSF. Download →
  • Petrie, P. & Chambers, H. (2009). Richer Lives: Creative Activities in the Education and Practice of Danish Pedagogues. London: Thomas Coram Research Unit. Download →
  • Petrie, P., Boddy, J., Cameron, C., Heptinstall, E., McQuail, S., Simon, A. & Wigfall, V. (2009). Pedagogy – a Holistic, Personal Approach to Work with Children and Young People, Across Services. London: Institute of Education. Download →
  • Regional Youth Work Unit North West (2010). A Study on the Understanding of Social Pedagogy and its Potential Implications for Youth Work Practice and Training.
  • Roesch-Marsh, A., Cooper, S. & Kirkwood, S. (2015). Social Pedagogy Pilot Project Evaluation (Camphill Scotland). Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh. Download →
  • Vrouwenfelder, E., Milligan, I. & Merrell, M. (2012). Social Pedagogy and Inter-professional Practice: Evaluation of Orkney Islands Training Programme. Glasgow: CELCIS. Download →
  • Williams, J., Scott, S. & Ludvigsen, A. (2017). Safe Steps CSE Innovation Project. Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 21. Download →
Journal articles · 13 titles
  • Burke, P. J., Cameron, C., Fuller, E. & Hollingworth, K. (2021). The relational navigator: a pedagogical reframing of widening educational participation for care-experienced young people. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 10(1). Read →
  • Charfe, L. & Gardner, A. (2020). ‘Does my Haltung look big in this?’: the use of social pedagogical theory for the development of ethical and value-led practice. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 9(1). Read →
  • Corbella, L., & Úcar, X. (2022). Exploring ethics in social education and social pedagogy from Honneth and Butler’s recognition theories. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 11(1), pp. 1-14. Read →
  • Eichsteller, G. & Holthoff, S. (2011). Social pedagogy as an ethical orientation towards working with people – historical perspectives. Children Australia, 36(4), 176–185. Read →
  • Hämäläinen, J. (2003). The concept of social pedagogy in the field of social work. Journal of Social Work, 3(1), 69–80.
  • Harbo, L. J. & Kemp, R. (2020). Social pedagogical perspectives on fidelity to a manual: professional principles and dilemmas in everyday expertise. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 9(1). Read →
  • Lorenz, W. (2008). Paradigms and politics: understanding methods paradigms in an historical context – the case of social pedagogy. British Journal of Social Work, 38(4), 625–644.
  • Nivala, E. and Ryynänen, S. (2025). An eco-social turn in social pedagogy. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 14(1). Read →
  • Rothuizen, J. J. & Harbo, L. J. (2017). Social pedagogy: an approach without fixed recipes. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 6(1), 6–28. Read →
  • Ryynänen, S. & Nivala, E. (2019). Inequality as a social pedagogical question. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 7(1). Read →
  • Smith, M. & Monteux, S. (2019). Social pedagogy and its relevance for Scottish social welfare. IRISS Insight 49. Read →
  • Storø, J. (2012). The difficult connection between theory and practice in social pedagogy. International Journal of Social Pedagogy, 1(1), 17–29. Read →
  • Úcar, X. (2013). Exploring different perspectives of social pedagogy: towards a complex and integrated approach. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 21. Read →

For the latest research, visit the International Journal of Social Pedagogy.

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