Residential Childcare Workers - new insights
Girish Vaidya
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Medicolegal Expert Witness, Healthcare Analytics.
Improving Residential Childcare: Addressing the Needs of Care Workers
As professionals in the field of child welfare and youth justice, we are well aware of the critical role residential childcare workers (RSWs) play in supporting vulnerable children and youth. However, RSWs face numerous challenges that not only affect their own wellbeing but also impact the care they provide.
The Challenges Faced by RSWs
High turnover rates among RSWs are a significant concern, often resulting from difficult working conditions, exposure to violence, and the emotional toll of caring for children with complex needs. This instability can lead to negative outcomes for the children, including disrupted emotional attachments and increased vulnerability to mental health issues.
Identifying the Needs of RSWs
This study conducted in Québec, Canada, involved in-depth interviews with 81 RSWs to understand what supports they felt were lacking in their day-to-day work. The findings highlighted two key areas:
- Organizational Resources and Functioning: RSWs emphasized the need for changes in current practices, more resources, and better coordination of care. They expressed frustration with excessive paperwork and insufficient time for team meetings and clinical reflection.
- Professional Development: There was a clear demand for regular, coordinated training programs that provide concrete strategies for practice. RSWs felt under-equipped to handle complex behavioral issues due to a lack of updates on advances in trauma and attachment science.
Evidence-Based Solutions
To address these challenges, the study suggests implementing evidence-based strategies such as trauma-informed care and mentalization-based treatment. These approaches can help create a supportive environment that benefits both RSWs and the children in their care.
Call to Action
Improving the wellbeing and retention of RSWs is crucial not only for their own sake but also for enhancing the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and youth. By prioritizing organizational changes, professional development, and trauma-informed practices, we can create a more stable and effective residential care system.
Let's work together to support these dedicated professionals and ensure that every child receives the care they deserve.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. How do you think we can better support residential childcare workers? What strategies have you seen make a positive impact in your own work or community?
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0886571X.2025.2467106 (open access paper)
Independent. 30 yrs working in & for the care sector. An interest & expertise in commissioning & procuring services for children in care. Led a review of the national fostering contract. Views personal.
2 天å‰I’ve recently undertaken a review of staff wellbeing in a children’s home. I interviewed each team member exploring their thoughts about organisational culture, work-life balance, the nature and level of support they get and I made some recommendations to aid retention. What really struck me was the enormous variance in views across the team. Members who had the same experiences conveyed very different views and it was evident that levels of resilience and trust differed. For me it showed an even greater need to really make sure the recruitment process digs deeper and that the amount of support and scaffolding for the team is not underestimated. Reflective and professional supervision is key. As is the design of a staff rota to really enable everyone to come together regularly (away from the children they care for). Sadly I think the level and type of support carers need is too often under appreciated. But when it’s done well, it’s transformative for both children and staff.