Staff and youth views on autonomy and emancipation from residential care: A participatory research study

Abstract

The use of participatory approaches in designing services is still relatively uncommon. In this study, we helped design a service to support the transition of youth from residential care to independent living by exploring the perspectives of staff and of youth regarding: (a) the concept and development of autonomy; and (b) key factors in developing this type of service. We gathered the data through 10 interviews with staff (n=10) and 4 focus groups with youth (n=21), and subjected the data to a thematic content analysis. Staff defined autonomy as self-regulation and self-care, and identified three paths to foster autonomy--a sense of normality, meaningful relationships, and planning for emancipation. The staff and youth identified the following important aspects in designing the service: achieving normality (e.g. limited number of residents), promoting youth capacity (e.g. skill-building activities), providing social support (e.g. trust and respect between residents), and assuring guidance and boundaries (e.g. supervision of youth).

Youth’s rights and mental health: The role of supportive relations in care

“…Recent findings provide evidence for the negative effects of discrimination, professional non-collaborative behaviors, privacy disruption (Magalhães et al, 2018) and non-participation (Magalhães & Calheiros, 2020; Magalhães et al, 2016) on youth adjustment. Conversely, the literature clearly reveals the positive role of participatory processes in children’s psychological adjustment (Kutsar et al, 2019; Llosada-Gistau et al, 2017; Magalhães & Calheiros, 2020), and particularly the need to hear from young people in RC, empowering residents and promoting their citizenship and sense of responsibility (Calheiros et al, 2013; Carrà, 2014). Evidence from therapeutic residential care emphasizes the need to provide the necessary conditions so youth can have a voice and involvement in their own care, given that youth’s perception that professionals do not listen to their problems and concerns negatively impacts their treatment (Soenen et al, 2013).…”

Emergency residential care settings: A model for service assessment and design

“…We subscribe to the view that children and young people are in a unique position to convey their own experiences, and have the legitimate right to manifest their needs and concerns on the issues that affect their lives (Calheiros, Patrício, & Graça, 2013;Cashmore, 2002;Clark & Moss, 2001;UNCRC, 1989). Furthermore, the participation of direct stakeholders (e.g., children and youth; staff) in service assessment and design is important also for building tailored responses and to foster service effectiveness (e.g., Calheiros et al, 2013;McMillen, Auslander, Elze, White, & Thompson, 2003;Teufel-Shone, Siyuja, Watahomigie, & Irwin, 2006). Studies 6 and 7 will draw on children/youth in the shelter and the staff as informants, with a special focus on the perspectives of children/youth as experts in their own experience.…”

Needs and preferences of parents of adolescents with multiple and complex needs in residential care

“…Overall, in the light of the implications of family involvement discussed above, there, however, is a need to enrich our thinking about parents of children in residential care. Authors point out that it is essential to assess the perspective and well‐being of parents with children with special needs and to provide interventions to improve health and functioning for both the parents and the children who have these needs (Calheiros, Patrício, & Graça, ). But despite all this, to date, research on residential treatment and care has focused on treatment outcomes for placed children, considering parents in terms of their impact on the outcome for the placed child, without assessing their own needs (Frensch & Cameron, ; Kiraly & Humphreys, ).…”