Report 58: Therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings

Putting it into practice

I think people are definitely coming round to it. I still see people struggling with their own value base and about being a bit more open-minded … But I do feel that we have come to a really good place.

Residential child care worker

A range of models was considered at information days held in the trusts. Senior managers then made a decision about which model to adopt.

Training was a key aspect of each trust’s plan for putting the models into practice. Trusts took different approaches to ‘rolling out’ training in the models. Most trusts started implementation in one or two pilot homes, and then started to roll out more widely.

The following factors were identified as helping with implementation:

• comprehensive training delivered to all staff with supporting materials
• other systems work in a supportive manner, e.g. placement panels, planned admissions, small units
• opportunity for reflective practice and provision of emotional support for staff
• good fit of the model with existing culture or language
• buy-in from fieldwork staff (social workers working outside the residential child care environment)
• risk-accepting work environment (encourages enabling young people to take ‘safe’ risks).

Download the full report and read more about:

• Understanding of how the models were selected
• First reactions
• Training
• Challenges and support in implementation