Residential Caregivers Working with Children at Risk – Best-Practice Strategies

Background

Residential caregivers are the central figures responsible for the children in their charge. Their work is physically and emotionally taxing, pressured, and prone to burnout, while their status is lower than the rest of the staff`s. To develop and professionally upgrade the position, we examined the working patterns of the directors` with caregivers.

Goals

Identifying the strategies adopted at Israel`s residential social-service facilities to improve caregiver functioning, and examining the extent of their implementation.

Study Method

A Mixed Methods study was conducted in two stages:
1. Qualitative – 6 successful care facilities were identified, the directors were Interviewed in depth using the "Learning from Success" method, and 3 focus groups were held of caregivers from 3 facilities.
2. Quantitative - A survey was administered to 95 directors using open and closed questions.

Findings

• 8 best-practice strategies for working with caregivers were identified: Careful screening, trial period, training, ongoing guidance, personal and professional support mechanisms, flexible schedules, a clear work plan and procedures, and jobs limited in scope and duration.
• While the strategies are applied in most facilities, they vary in scope and implementation.

Implications

The study discusses recommendations that can help the directors to incorporate the strategies in residential homes, and meet the challenges they face in their work with caregivers.