ABSTRACT

This chapter addresses the difficulties of residential work in general, but the central theme is: ‘who listens to the listeners’ and how are the various professionals who work with these children best supported in this very challenging work? Drawing on Menzies Lyth’s thinking, the ways in which the very disturbing experiences and behaviour of these children become expressed within the organisational setting and the staff group, are described in some detail, as is the role of the outside consultant to the organisation. The impact on the staff of working with sexually abused children is explored.