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After ideology: The effectiveness of residential programs for ‘at risk’ adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Frank Ainsworth
Frank Ainsworth*
Affiliation:
Edith Cowan University, School of International, Cultural and Community Studies, Joondalup Campus, Perth, WA 6027. Email: f.ainsworth@cowan.edu.au
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Abstract

This article reviews recent research evidence about the effectiveness of residential care, education and treatment programs, singularly referred to as treatment programs, for ‘at risk’ adolescents. This evidence is drawn from child welfare, mental health services and education studies. The national and international evidence is that foster care is in crisis and is unable to provide stable and continuous placements for many of our most difficult youth. It is time to reconsider residential alternatives. The research suggests that these alternatives are not ‘all bad’ and that they have an important place in the continuum of child and family services.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , 2001 , pp. 11 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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