Residential Children's Homes and the Youth Justice System : Identity, Power and Perceptions

Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. By Drawing Upon The Experiences And Perspectives Of Children And Young People Who Have Offended Whilst In Residential Care, As Well As A Number Of Professionals From The Care And Youth Justice Systems, This Book Aims To Illuminate The Pressing Issue Of Why Residents Of Children's Homes Come To The Attention Of The Youth Justice System, And The Consequent Implications For Policy And Practice. Putting Aside The Discourses Of Individual Culpability And Responsibility, This Text Focuses On The Necessity Of An Holistic Approach Which Recognises The Contribution Of Values And Identities Formed Prior To Entering Residential Care, The Importance Of Staff-resident And Peer Relationships, The Institutional Culture And Environment, And The Impact Of Overarching Policy. Only Through This Approach Can We Make Realistic Progress In Addressing Youth Justice Involvement In A Way Which Benefits The Greatest Number Of Children And Young People. 1. Developments And Experiences In Residential Care -- 2. Policy Context Of Research -- 3. Introducing The Research Study: Theory And Method -- 4. Disempowerment, Responsibility And Difference -- 5. Solidarity, Conflict And The Residential Regime -- 6. Instability, Homogeneity And Isolation -- 7. 'policing', Power And Perceptions -- 8. Key Findings And Implications For Policy And Practice. Julie Shaw. This book explores the factors at the individual, institutional and systemic levels which contribute to children's home residents coming to the attention of the youth justice system, and the consequent implications for policy and practice. Perspectives are drawn from both young people and professionals in the care and youth justice systems. By drawing upon the experiences and perspectives of children and young people who have offended whilst in residential care, as well as a number of professionals from the care and youth justice systems, this book aims to illuminate the pressing issue of why residents of children's homes come to the attention of the youth justice system, and the consequent implications for policy and practice. Putting aside the discourses of individual culpability and responsibility, this text focuses on the necessity of an holistic approach which recognises the contribution of values and identities formed prior to entering residential care, the importance of staff-resident and peer relationships, the institutional culture and environment, and the impact of overarching policy. Only through this approach can we make realistic progress in addressing youth justice involvement in a way which benefits the greatest number of children and young people Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction....Pages 1-7 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Developments and Experiences in Residential Care....Pages 11-27 Policy Context of Research....Pages 28-48 Introducing the Research Study: Theory and Method....Pages 49-67 Front Matter....Pages 69-69 Disempowerment, Responsibility and Difference....Pages 71-88 Solidarity, Conflict and the Residential Regime....Pages 89-109 Instability, Homogeneity and Isolation....Pages 110-129 ‘Policing’, Power and Perceptions....Pages 130-149 Front Matter....Pages 151-151 Key Findings and Implications for Policy and Practice....Pages 153-172 Back Matter....Pages 173-192