Analysing the impact of living in a large-group therapeutic community as a young person — views of current and ex-residents. A pilot study

Abstract

Current policy favours substitute families or smaller children's homes for emotionally damaged young people rather than large-group specialist interventions. Residents thus often arrive at therapeutic communities only after multiple failed placements compounding existing complex problems. Outcomes at Thornby Hall (a therapeutic community providing residential care for 15–25 adolescents) are better than for other looked-after children. Thornby Hall's long-term therapeutic setting develops the emotional capacity of staff so that they can facilitate the relational capacities of young people. In this study ex-residents and current residents describe their experience of living at Thornby Hall and the difference they feel it has made to them. They all chose to describe their increased ability to relate well to others, attributing this to: the feeling of being wanted by forgiving staff who want to be there; and, a feeling of belonging where staff and peers understand you and you can be yourself. Their thoughts offer useful insights to those trying to create structures within which children who have suffered early life trauma can thrive.

Keywords:

• therapeutic community
• residential group care
• looked after children and young people
• long term outcomes emotional and behavioural difficulties
• psychodynamic
• psychotherapy

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to the eight participants in the research for their deep and personal contributions; their eloquence, thoughtfulness and honesty is much appreciated (and admired). Thanks also to staff at Childhood First, particularly at Thornby Hall. The study was funded by the Children's Workforce Development Council.