Does punishment in secure residential youth care work? An overview of the evidence. Issue 1 (16th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Valk, S.; van der Helm, G. H. P.; Beld, M.; Schaftenaar, P.; Kuiper, C.; Stams, G. J. J. M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of children's services. Volume 10:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2015-03-16
• Subjects: Child care services -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Social work with children -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Child care services -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Social work with children -- Periodicals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1108/JCS-11-2014-0048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-6660

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – Violence is a common problem in secure residential units for young people. Group workers often think that young people have to learn to behave by means of punishment. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether this approach is effective in these settings, and, if so, under what circumstances. Furthermore, it aims to provide alternatives to punishment when dealing with violence. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – Recent evidence on the effectiveness of punishment in secure residential units is reviewed. In addition, methods which are promising in dealing with violence are described. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – The review shows that punishment is often used to regain control by group workers or, alternatively, is a result of professional helplessness in the face of escalating problems. Only when the living group climate is marked by trust and cooperation can punishment be effective. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – Punishment in secure residential settings can have severe negative consequences. Nevertheless, group workers are tempted to use it as a response to violence in an attempt to gain control.</p> </sec> </abstract>