‘Nothing works’ in secure residential youth care?

A debate about the effectiveness of secure residential youth care is currently going on. While some continue to support secure residential youth care, others conclude that ‘nothing works’ in secure residential youth care, and argue that non-residential treatment is superior to secure residential tre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children and youth services review 2013-12, Vol.35 (12), p.1941-1945
Main Authors: Souverein, F.A., Van der Helm, G.H.P., Stams, G.J.J.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Effectiveness
Myths
Recommendations
Secure residential youth care
Treatment Outcomes
Youth
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Summary:A debate about the effectiveness of secure residential youth care is currently going on. While some continue to support secure residential youth care, others conclude that ‘nothing works’ in secure residential youth care, and argue that non-residential treatment is superior to secure residential treatment. This article reviews recent research on this topic. The conclusion is that evidence for the effectiveness of non-residential treatment for youth with severe behavioural problems and/or criminal behaviour is sparse if considered as an alternative for secure residential youth care. Secure residential treatment shows a modest, but positive effect. We need to overhaul the myth that ‘nothing works’ in secure residential youth care, and focus on how to optimise the effects of secure residential youth care. •Effectiveness secure residential youth care.•‘Nothing works’ cognitions•Suggestions for improvement
ISSN:0190-7409
1873-7765
DOI:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.09.010