The youth worker's role in residential homes for children and young people

Abstract

For a number of reasons there are children and young people who are unable to grow with their biological families and end up being placed in residential homes. Within these homes, all those involved in the child's care plan try to ensure that their chances for a healthy and stable personal and social development are high, positive and stable. Whilst acknowledging the valuable work that these professionals carry out, this study attempts to introduce the role of the youth worker within a residential care context. This endeavour has been carried out by means of an action research study which resulted in the planning and implementation of a youth programme that centred round the theme of personal and social development. Furthermore, the programme was based on the needs of the young people in care. These needs were identified by means of a focus group, one-to-one interviews with the boys, with their carers and personal observation throughout the research. The study will reveal the positive impact that this programme had on the boys. The boys' participation before, during and after the implementation of the programme lead to an increased level of awareness on issues that were at the heart of the boys' interest and needs. This was confirmed through an evaluation process with the boys as well as with their carers. This study puts forward a set of recommendations and proposes that youth workers be enrolled within residential homes to cater for the needs of young people - setting them apart from the other professionals working within the structure,' yet working together in a multi-disciplinary team to provide a wholesome, effective and positive experience for young people living in residential homes.