Alan Keith-Lucas
Encyclopedia
Alan Keith Lucas was a social worker and professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill who worked primarily with residential childcare.
, inventor of the first aeronautical compass. His brothers were the aeronautical engineer David Keith-Lucas
and the political scientist Bryan Keith-Lucas
. He earned a Master of Arts from Cambridge University. Interested in the emerging profession of social work, not then studied at post-graduate level in Britain, Keith-Lucas moved to America. At Case Western Reserve University, he earned a Masters of Social Administration. He eventually earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University.
As a consultant, Alan was well regarded. He often held controversial and challenging views in regards to childhood development and the structure of group homes. He believed in the primacy of getting the larger family unit involved, using state welfare agencies as a temporary reprieve for children while an intervention was made to get the family back on track.
Sherwood, D.A. (1995). In memory: Alan-Keith Lucas. Social work and Christianity 22(2), 158-159.
Early life
Alan Keith-Lucas was one of three sons of Keith LucasKeith Lucas
Keith Lucas FRS was a British scientist who worked at Trinity College, Cambridge doing pioneering work in Neuroscience....
, inventor of the first aeronautical compass. His brothers were the aeronautical engineer David Keith-Lucas
David Keith-Lucas
David Keith-Lucas CBE was an aeronautical engineer.-Early life:David Keith-Lucas was one of the sons of Keith Lucas, who invented the first aeronautical compass. He was educated at Gresham's School, Holt, and at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he read engineering.-Career:He was an...
and the political scientist Bryan Keith-Lucas
Bryan Keith-Lucas
Bryan Keith-Lucas CBE was an English political scientist.-Education:...
. He earned a Master of Arts from Cambridge University. Interested in the emerging profession of social work, not then studied at post-graduate level in Britain, Keith-Lucas moved to America. At Case Western Reserve University, he earned a Masters of Social Administration. He eventually earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University.
Career
In 1950, Alan joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He also founded the Group Child Care Consultants Services, a vehicle to help private and public group homes better serve their juvenile population. He was later named Alumni Distinguished Professor Social Work.As a consultant, Alan was well regarded. He often held controversial and challenging views in regards to childhood development and the structure of group homes. He believed in the primacy of getting the larger family unit involved, using state welfare agencies as a temporary reprieve for children while an intervention was made to get the family back on track.
Beliefs
Alan's ideas about how to intervene with problematic family situations were sometimes controversial. Unlike many others in his field, he readily endorsed the use of group homes as the first, not the last, intervention. His positions were sometimes unpopular with administrators, and especially policymakers.Retirement
Though Alan retired in 1975 from active teaching, he was still heavily involved in social work. He served on the board of the North American Association of Christian Social Workers, lectured, and consulted with residential child care agencies. He continued to write and publish journal articles and books until his death in 1995. His collection of personal writings and correspondence are archived at Roberts Wesleyan CollegeRoberts Wesleyan College
Roberts Wesleyan College is a Christian liberal arts college located in North Chili, New York. It is the first educational institution established for Free Methodists in North America...
Books
- Some casework concepts for the public welfare worker. (1957)
- Decision about people in need;a study of administrative responsiveness in public assistance (1957)
- The church and social welfare (1962)
- Giving and taking help (1972, republished 1994)
- Group child care as a family service(1977)
- So you want to be a social worker: A primer for the Christian student
- The poor you have with you always (1989)
- Hope and healing: the first hundred years of Connie Maxwell history (1991)
- Encounters with children: Stories that help us understand and help them (1991)
- Integrating faith and practice: A history of North American Association of Christians in Social Work (1994)
Journal Articles
- (1953). Status of parents of children in foster care. Child Welfare Journal, 32(6), 3-5.
- With Elliott, S. (1954). A mother's movement toward responsibility during her child's placement. Social Casework, 35, 166-169.
- (1954). The specialized court—its philosophy and function. US Department of Labor, Children's Bureau, 346, 99-99.
- (1992). Encounters with children: Children and religion. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 10(1), 65-73.
- (1996). Celebrating and affirming children. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 14(1), 1-8.
- (1987, June). What else can residential care do? And do well?. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 4(4), 25-37.
Sources
Powell, J.Y. (1996). Alan Keith Lucas, PhD, 1910-1995: Teacher extradoinaire. Residential treatment for children & youth, 14(2).Sherwood, D.A. (1995). In memory: Alan-Keith Lucas. Social work and Christianity 22(2), 158-159.