ABSTRACT
The emergency shelter is largely ignored in the literature on child and youth care settings. This constitutes a considerable oversight in light of the crucial role that emergency shelters play as the first experience of the child or youth in group care. While shelters share many characteristics common to all group care settings, there are specific differences both regarding the role that shelters play and the treatment opportunities that are possible. The shelter experience is defined and the way that shelters may meet both the client’s and their family’s needs are presented. It is also suggested that working in a shelter provides a unique challenge for the child care professional.
