Theory into residential childcare re-released

The Together Trust’s publication into the role of residential facilities in supporting and supplementing family care, Family Work in Residential Childcare, is now available to download.

Originally published in 1988 under our former name, the Boys’ and Girls’ Welfare Society, the content has been praised and recommended by the National Centre for Excellence in Residential Child Care NCERCC for its exploration of the positive effects of partnership working in this sector.

"On the NCERCC’s recommendation, we have decided to make the book more readily available," said David Marriot, Chief Executive of the Togther Trust. Those who wish to access the publication can now download a free version by clicking here.

Jonathan Stanley, Manager of NCERCC added; “Reviewing practice guidance for the sector NCERCC noted the gap regarding family work so we are pleased the Together Trust have been able to respond so swiftly. Maintaining contact often leads to better outcomes but research tells us that individual assessment is important and ’family’ means different things to different children so the task is to preserve and where possible strengthen the connection between children, parents and family."

The book - by John Kelsall and Billy McCullough - emphasises the importance of partnership highlights the importance of an inclusive approach towards families, and suggests that family work should involve practical help, emotional support, liaison and informal sharing.