Children in the child welfare system frequently experience trauma within the caregiving relationship. These traumatic experiences may be compounded by system trauma and place these children at high risk of emotional disorders and placement in out-of-home (OOH) mental health treatment programs. This article reviews the literature on trauma and…

This article reviews 44 refereed journal articles published between 2003 and 2008. All of the articles attempt to directly uncover the experiences or perspectives of young people cared for by the state in foster, residential or kinship care homes. The review reveals that this field is developing a rich body of evidence derived from a broad range…

Examines the conceptualization of abuse of children by peers within institutional settings. Explores the assumptions held about peer behavior and problems and dilemmas around identifying when residents' behavior should be viewed as abusive. Focuses on how the dynamics of institutions influences these definitions and assumptions and how these…

New York City Administration for Children's Services agencies were surveyed about problematic sexualized behaviors (PSB) of children within the child welfare system. Results revealed that almost all agencies reported PSB within their foster boarding home and residential treatment centers. A majority of agencies perceived PSB to be a significant…

Summarizes changes in out-of-home placements of children and youth with mental retardation since the implementation of the Supplemental Security Income program and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act entitlements. The statistics show a decrease from 90,942 children in residential settings in 1977 to 25,842 children in 1997. (CR)

Uses a historical and sociological analysis to examine the nature of leadership, focusing on power and charisma and how these can become embedded in the relationship between leaders and followers. Contends that attention to residential child care leadership has been lacking in the literature. (Author/KB)

Provides a selective review of relevant research on developmental psychopathology and its relevance for group care programming; a summary overview of major themes in residential care outcome research; and suggestions for future research on group care with implications for direct practice, service organization, and policy. (TJQ)

The great majority of children living in foster or residential care have been abused and neglected. Mental health problems are common and the nature of these problems may be rooted in early attachment relationships. The carers of 82 children in care in Scotland and 125 children from local schools completed questionnaires on mental health problems…

Many communities have turned to group homes and residential treatment centers to serve children and adolescents displaying behavioral and/or emotional problems, because most foster parents are not able to deal with such children, and the expense of psychiatric hospitalization is prohibitive. One alternative which has been used very sparingly is…

Uses interviews with residents and ex-residents, ethnographic techniques, and document analysis to examine sexuality and sexual abuse in residential childcare settings, including how their culture and leadership contribute to abuse and the denial and invisibility of sexuality. Discusses issues around researching sexuality, children, and abusive…

Examines the historical and sociocultural context of Japanese residential child care. Presents three case studies of institutional child abuse to explore its socio-cultural causes. Concludes that lack of leadership in public homes, the wrong leadership authorized unprofessionally in private homes, and the lack of universal systems of public…

The old-fashioned focus on individuals as separate from their surroundings is no longer tenable. The papers in this edited volume are informed by the Group Relations model which was designed to help those providing services to children and adolescents to evaluate treatment programs and to make needed improvements. The chapters describe how a…

Presents an ecological model identifying four factors: the child, caregivers, facility environment; and exogenous factors contributing to child maltreatment in residential care. Facility factors include organizational culture and staffing patterns. Caregiver factors include gender, age, training, and status. Child factors include gender, age, and…

Uses examples of institutional child abuse within the Australian police force, social service departments, diplomatic service, schools, the judicial system, and the church to show that leadership may mitigate or amplify abuse. Contends that the precedence of adults' rights over children's rights contributes to child abuse. The recent creation of a…

British standards for inspection of residential services will not protect children from abuse because they do not address underlying problems. New proposals may correct some problems, but inspections probably cannot meet child protection objectives. Future developments should address enforcement of standards, collaboration between agencies…