Challenging the Conventional Wisdom about Residential Care for Children and Youth

Is residential care “inherently harmful”? This book challenges that widespread belief, showing that conventional assumptions—largely based on studies of infants in severely deprived environments—have been overgeneralized and can themselves be harmful. Drawing on child development theory and empirical research, the author demonstrates that high-quality residential care can be a highly effective intervention for specific groups of children and youth, rather than a last-resort option. Two evidence-based models of residential care are described in detail, providing practical guidance for implementation.

Key Features:

• Debunks the myth that residential care is inherently harmful.
• Analyzes research critically, distinguishing between deprived care contexts and high-quality residential care.
• Explains the developmental principles underlying effective care.
• Describes two empirically supported models of residential care.
• Relevant for scholars, students, and professionals in child development, child welfare, youth work, social work, and education.