residential child care

Retelling the past using new technologies: a case Study into the digitization of social work heritage material and the creation of a virtual exhibition

Article explains the rationale for the digitization of social work heritage material and the virtualization of an archived nondigital museum exhibit constructed by a Scottish Museum of Social Work.

The project involved the “virtualization” of an existing social work museum exhibition on the migration of “Home Children” from Scotland to Canada in the late 19th and early 20th century and the digital preservation of historical assets (both text and images) held by the contemporary social care organization involved in the migration of the children.

Food for Thought project

The Food for Thought project was an ESRC funded project to explore the ways in which food is used symbolically by children, foster carers and residential staff. It looks at how food may stand for thoughts, beliefs and feelings and how these can be better understood and harnessed in the care of children.

The website contains training materials and tools for reflecting on food practices. The resources will:

The goodenoughcaring Journal

Online publication for all those interested in the way children grow up and how they are nurtured. It welcomes contributions from parents, foster parents, residential child care workers in children’s homes, day care workers, social workers, teachers, youth workers, youth mentors, child therapists, social pedadogues, and educateurs, and all people who reflect on their own upbringing.

The journal is electronically archived at the British Library is not an academic publication though academic submissions are welcomed and considered for publication alongside all other submissions.

At a glance 58: therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings

Following a regional review of residential child care in 2007, the five health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland have introduced ‘therapeutic approaches’ in a number of children’s homes, and in the regional secure units, with the aim of improving staff skills and outcomes for young people. This At a glance briefing summarises an evaluation of the approaches conducted between May 2010 and February 2012. The full details can be found in SCIE Report 58 (Macdonald et al, 2012). Summary published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in May 2012.

SCIE report 58: therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings

Children and young people in care are some of the most vulnerable in society. A small but significant proportion of looked-after children across the UK are cared for in residential settings such as children's homes. Following a regional review of residential child care in 2007, the five health and social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland introduced 'therapeutic approaches' in a number of children's homes and in the regional secure units. This report gives the results of an evaluation of these approaches. Report published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in May 2012.

Therapeutic approaches to residential child care in Northern Ireland

Film that shows how children's homes in Northern Ireland have introduced training in ‘therapeutic approaches' for their residential child care staff.

The approaches help staff to have a better understanding of how children's experiences affect them, to consider their emotional needs and foster resilience. It focuses on the experience of staff and young people at the Lakewood Secure Unit.

Living in children's residential homes

Short study which provides an insight into the nature of children’s residential homes, the characteristics and circumstances of the young people who live in them and on the short-term outcomes for these young people. It builds on our recent research for the Department for Education (DfE) 'Raising the Bar? An Evaluation of the Social Pedagogy Pilot Programme in Children’s Residential Homes'.