Perceptions of Young People in Residential Care Regarding Quality of Care, the Affective Relationship with Care Workers, and the Style of Discipline Used

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Residential care remains a necessary option in child protection. This pilot study analyzes the perceptions of children in residential care regarding care quality, the affective relationship with staff, and the style of discipline used. Participants were 46 children/adolescents (10–16 years) from seven residential care homes in Spain. Perceived care quality was assessed using an ad hoc questionnaire based on a published set of care quality standards. Perceptions of the relationship with staff and the style of discipline used were explored with the Affect Scale and the Rules – Demands Scale, respectively. Care quality was generally viewed as positive. The relationship with staff was primarily perceived as being characterized by warmth/communication, and by either an inductive or rigid style of discipline. The perception of an inductive style of discipline and more warmth/communication in the relationship with staff was associated with a more positive view of care quality. Contrary to expectations, young people in larger care homes were more positive about how the home functioned and they perceived greater warmth/communication and more appropriate discipline strategies in the relationship with staff. This suggests that quality in residential care depends more on the relationship with staff and the fulfillment of certain standards than on group sizes.