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15 February

NO 1265

Daily life

Spending many hours each day in the 12 children's homes provided us with ample opportunity to experience the daily routine. We were especially concerned with those points in the day when young people and staff came together, such as mealtimes or when young people arrived home from school or college, and the nature of the interaction which took place on such occasions. However, the way in which staff spent their time when young people were absent was also of interest. Routines sometimes varied according to the type of home but, on the whole, the daily life of the homes proved very similar and, by the conclusion of the fieldwork, the researchers found it relatively easy to slot into this.

The atmosphere in the majority of homes was pleasant and friendly. This was reflected in our experience as researchers – we were almost invariably made to feel welcome and comfortable (if, on two occasions following thefts, being a few pounds worse off!). In homes for younger children there was inevitably more activity and noise. Only one home (E) emanated a noticeable atmosphere of tension. Even here, however, the situation varied according to the group of staff on duty. Otherwise relationships between staff were generally good and were often characterised by much laughter and good humour: essential ingredients of residential work. In North the links between staff working in different homes were especially positive and there were frequent phone calls to and fro.

Even on occasions when the atmosphere was somewhat frenetic, the relationships between staff and young people were consistently good. Tensions were frequently dissipated by joking and teasing. Staff were always addressed by their first names and were highly approachable. While, as we shall see, staff voiced concerns over methods of control and restraint, no such fears were apparent in regard to the display of affection and we observed frequent public, wholly appropriate hugs, cuddles and other forms of physical reassurance. It is sometimes claimed that staff are afraid of any physical contact with children, and that the latter freely make unwarranted allegations, but we found no evidence of this whatsoever.

It is important to appreciate that young people clearly enjoyed being with staff and continually sought their company. Individual time spent with keyworkers was also highly valued. Attempts to keep young people out of `the office' were consequently fraught with difficulty. In one home (E), where the atmosphere was especially crisis-ridden, staff were extremely protective of their space and used the office essentially as a refuge from the resident group. This was deeply resented and young people continually sought, by fair means or foul, to break through this barrier. In other homes the staff smoking room or the kitchen provided the focal point of interaction. As Millham et al. (1979) emphasised in their study of approved schools, it is not young people who avoid contact with staff but the opposite.

DAVID BERRIDGE AND ISABELLE BRODIE

REFERENCES

Millham, S.; Bullock, R. and Cherrett, P. (1979). After Grace – Teeth: A Comparative Study of the Residential Experience of Boys in Approved Schools. Brighton. Chaucer.


Berridge, D. and Brodie, I. (1998). Children's Homes Revisited. London and Philadelphia. Jessica Kingsley. p. 90.

The International Child and Youth Care Network
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