ABSTRACT
Those who work in the field of residential care of children and young people often feel that the commitment and concern they offer to the children they are responsible for goes unrecognised by those engaged in other professions. At times it seems as though they are used merely as a dumping ground for children whose emotional lives are in such a state of anxiety, panic and rage that they are unable to be contained in any other setting. All too often there are not the resources available to support and train care staff effectively. It is, therefore, of little wonder that staff, who are not sufficiently equipped to understand and meet the needs of such children, become overwhelmed by the primitive forces of their behaviour and fall into misinformed and unprofessional practice. When the outside world is aware of what is happening there is a public outcry, with the staff being accused of either being too permissive or too punishing towards the children. In some circumstances such an outcry is valid, although at times not enough thought is given to the difficulties involved in creating an environment where staff and children can co-exist satisfactorily. It is no simple task to establish a structure which will enable both staff and management to assess the emotional needs of the children and develop effective treatment programmes geared to meeting these needs.
