ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the dominant trends in social policy which underpin the current use and development of residential provision for children and young people in European countries. The importance of considering social and welfare policies in other countries, and any trends and dominant issues therein, continues to grow as technology expands the sharing of information through new and diverse mediums. In many European countries, professional and structural reforms in the residential child care sector have considerably increased operating expenses. Works by M. Gottesman explore the experiences of the twenty two countries which comprise the International Federation of Educative Communities. Ireland is divided into a number of local authorities responsible for issues such as town planning, and eight regional Health Boards for health and social care, including children's services. Sweden is divided into twenty four national regional councils and two hundred and eighty municipalities.
