NCJ Number
216254
Journal
Child & Youth Services Volume: 27 Issue: 1/2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 27-50
Date Published
2005
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article uses the literary device of a musical metaphor to review and reframe the knowledge base necessary to deliver responsive child and youth care services.
Abstract
Six voices are presented that describe different facets of child and youth care practice in need of radical reframing, each providing distinct justifications for the care and treatment of children. The voices belong to: (1) the children and young people targeted by the services; (2) their family members; (3) health, education, and welfare professionals; (4) special interest groups, politicians, policymakers, and the media; (5) regulatory policies and procedures that shape contemporary practices in human service organizations; and (6) scholars, researchers, and theorists. The musical metaphor, which was designed to reframe the debate about proactive caring and responsiveness in the delivery of children’s services, is developed out of the sixth voice (scholars, researchers, and theorists) and incorporates the notion of Soul, Rhythms, and Blues. The Soul of care for children is described as the guarantees of physical safety and security and the management of bodily comforts, routines, and preferences. The Rhythms of child and youth care are associated with unique development patterns of children and young people in care. Five Rhythms of child and youth care practice are identified: (1) kinship networks; (2) education, recreation, and learning; (3) group living; (4) community and peer group activities; and (5) cultural and spiritual aspects of caring. The Blues of care for children are described as the emotional and physical suffering of children in care, special education, treatment, supervision, or custody that stems from living or spending large amounts of time in group settings. Next, the author uses the six voices to call for a radical reframing of child and youth care services from each distinct perspective. It is hoped that the perspectives presented here will challenge child and youth care workers and their organizations to achieve greater responsiveness to the developmental needs of children and young people in care. Notes, references