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Young people’s lived experience of relational practices in therapeutic residential care in Australia

Author

Listed:
  • McPherson, Lynne
  • Canosa, Antonia
  • Gilligan, Robbie
  • Moore, Tim
  • Gatwiri, Kathomi
  • Day, Kylie
  • Mitchell, Janise
  • Graham, Anne
  • Anderson, Donnah

Abstract

Young people living in therapeutic residential care face major challenges that can prevent them from forming healthy relationships and connections within the community, which are critical building blocks for their wellbeing and safety. To address these challenges, Australia has introduced ‘therapeutic residential care’ (TRC) models in a number of states and territories. TRC in Australia is designed to respond to high levels of complexity of need, for those young people who are unable to live in a home-based care arrangement. This research sought to explore whether and how relational practices in TRC enable the experience of positive, trusting relationships for young people. Young interviewees between the ages of 12 and 18 years (N = 38) reported experiencing trust when staff members genuinely invested time in their wellbeing, demonstrated care and respect, and made them feel valued. Conversely the lack of these practices and/or particular organisational and systemic conditions were often considered barriers that could lead to ‘misrecognition.’ Drawing directly from the lived experience as recounted by the young people currently living in residential care, the researchers conceptualise and introduce a new dimension of relational practice in residential care settings.

Suggested Citation

  • McPherson, Lynne & Canosa, Antonia & Gilligan, Robbie & Moore, Tim & Gatwiri, Kathomi & Day, Kylie & Mitchell, Janise & Graham, Anne & Anderson, Donnah, 2025. "Young people’s lived experience of relational practices in therapeutic residential care in Australia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:170:y:2025:i:c:s019074092500012x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108129
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steckley, Laura, 2020. "Threshold concepts in residential child care: Part 1, the selves of learners and their praxis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
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    7. Steckley, Laura, 2020. "Threshold concepts in residential child care: Part 2, relational practice as threshold," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
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    9. McPherson, Lynne & Gatwiri, Kathomi & Tucci, Joe & Mitchell, Janise & Macnamara, Noel, 2018. "A paradigm shift in responding to children who have experienced trauma: The Australian treatment and care for kids program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 525-534.
    10. Izzo, Charles V. & Smith, Elliott G. & Sellers, Deborah E. & Holden, Martha J. & Nunno, Michael A., 2022. "Promoting a relational approach to residential child care through an organizational program model: Impacts of CARE implementation on staff outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
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