Building a Successful Care Path in Residential Care: Findings from Qualitative Research with Young People and Professionals in Italy

Abstract

ABSTRACTQualitative methods (i.e. semi-structured interviews) were used in this micro-research to explore the different ways in which young people and social and residential workers perceive the outcomes of the residential care experience. By comparing the participants’ points of view, it was possible to investigate different ways of thinking about residential care plans and evaluating outcomes. Seven residential care paths were considered via a total of 21 interviews with young people formerly in residential care (n = 7), residential workers (n = 7) and social workers (n = 7). The analysis focused on the young people's life path and on the understanding of their family relationships. The results highlight the social workers’ difficulty in sharing a care plan with residential workers and with the respective families, and underline the importance of thinking about ways of cooperating between different services and families: a methodology focusing on participation of families and children leads to an increased likelihood of successful intervention.