The emotional experience of children looked after in residential care and care staff: ‘Internal and external home or homelessness’
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Hodgson, Sarie (2016) The emotional experience of children looked after in residential care and care staff: ‘Internal and external home or homelessness’. Professional Doctorate thesis, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust / University of East London. Full text available
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Abstract
The research investigates the emotional sense of home and homelessness for children who are looked after in residential care and the care staff who look after them. Evaluation of the literature includes studies, which explored the historical context of children’s homes, practice and perspectives, psychoanalytic concepts and the contribution of child psychotherapy in working with and thinking about this group of young people, their carer’s, and the organisation in which they live. The study was undertaken using observation as a methodology, and the use of the application of grounded theory to analyse and support the data. This explored aspects of residential life for the young people in their home as they arrive, live and leave care. The themes of containment, anxiety and conflict were identified by the author, abstracted from the data and then linked to significant concepts associated with home and homelessness, which are discussed in detail within the research. The concepts are referred to using the following terms: 1. ‘Place’ – Containment linked to the experience of being emotionally held and understood, a sense of belonging and identification. 2. ‘Wanderings’ – Anxiety linked to impact of early trauma, transition and defences. 3. ‘Throwaways’ – Conflict, to indicate emotional distress and disturbance, loss and separation. These terms, which are commonly used to represent aspects of the homeless experience, are also applied to the role of care staff. The research also discussed the impact on the staff and organisation when working with children who have experienced complex trauma, and the meaning of the observer’s presence for the participants. A number of conclusions and recommendations are considered regarding how the emotional needs of these young people can be met during their journey through iii residential care, in order to support the development of an internal and external sense of belonging.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Professional Doctorate) |
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| Additional Information: | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of East London in collaboration with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust for the Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Professional Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, University of East London, 2023 additions |
| Subjects: | Children, Young People and Developmental Pyschology > Child Care Services Children, Young People and Developmental Pyschology > Child Psychotherapy Human Psychological Processes > Early Experiences |
| Department/People: | Children, Young Adult and Family Services |
| URI: | https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/2754 |
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