Relationships Matter? Multiple perspectives on children’s attachment experiences in group home settings

Abstract

Children who are admitted into residential care often have a history of abuse, neglect, experienced trauma and have had multiple failed placements. Caring for these children can be challenging due to their complex behavioural issues. Using an attachment framework and the evidence-base of neuroscience, this study looks at what works for children with a history of trauma.

This study explores what matters to children living in residential group homes through hearing the voices of eight children residing in three group homes in New Zealand. The children interviewed were within the age group of 10 to 17 years old. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, children were interviewed regarding their experience of care and the importance of relationships within group homes. In order to gain multiple perspectives on this topic, six biological parents and two legal guardians of children were interviewed and focus group discussions were also held with staff members from the three various group homes.

The findings from this study and knowledge from neuroscience indicates that children in residential care need to experience relationships as a secure-base in order to heal from their traumatic experiences. This research recommends the importance of relationship-based interventions and trauma-informed practice while working with children in residential care settings