Using practical philosophy to enhance the self-regulation of children in secure accommodation

ABSTRACT

Secure accommodation provides extreme forms of control and support for a small minority of society’s most vulnerable children. Within such environments it is unclear how children exhibit or develop self-regulation when external controls affect every aspect of day-to-day life. This study provides an insight into self-regulation by examining children’s adherence to the rules associated with a practical form of philosophy, namely Community of Philosophical Inquiry (CoPI). Data was collected from a series of CoPI sessions which took place in secure accommodation and a thematic analysis was used to identify key themes emerging from participant’s rule-adherence. The findings suggest that argumentative dialogue allows children to demonstrate self-regulation in relation to the CoPI rules, although it is often sporadic and variable between individuals. Whilst encouraging argumentation and dialogue can seem counterintuitive, it might promote more adaptive behaviours, which will give children in secure accommodation greater control over their lives.

KEYWORDS:

• Secure accommodation
• self-regulation
• behavioural difficulties
• philosophy with children

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Prof. Emeritus Donald Christie for his support with this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gavin Heron

Gavin Heron is a qualified social worker and practice teacher and worked in residential child care before undertaking his current position as a university lecturer. His current research interests include social work education and inequality.

Claire Cassidy

Claire Cassidy is a senior lecturer and course leader for the Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy with Children at the University of Strathclyde.  Previously she was a teacher and has facilitated philosophical dialogue with children and adults in a wide range of settings.  Her current research interests include Philosophy with Children, children's human rights and concepts of child and childhood.