‘Nothing works’ in secure residential youth care?

F.A. Souverein, G.H.P. Van der Helm and G.J.J.M. Stams

Children and Youth Services Review, 2013, vol. 35, issue 12, 1941-1945

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Secure residential youth care; Effectiveness; Recommendations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:35:y:2013:i:12:p:1941-1945

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.09.010

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