doi.org/10.1017/S1035077200010178
Article type: Original Research
1 January 2001
Volume 26 Issue 2
doi.org/10.1017/S1035077200010178
Article type: Original Research
1 January 2001
Volume 26 Issue 2
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After ideology: The effectiveness of residential programs for ‘at risk’ adolescents
Frank Ainsworth1 
Affiliations
1 Edith Cowan University, School of International, Cultural and Community Studies, Joondalup Campus, Perth, WA 6027, f.ainsworth@cowan.edu.au
Contributions
Frank Ainsworth -
Frank Ainsworth1
Affiliations
1 Edith Cowan University, School of International, Cultural and Community Studies, Joondalup Campus, Perth, WA 6027, f.ainsworth@cowan.edu.au
CITATION: Ainsworth F. (2001). After ideology: The effectiveness of residential programs for ‘at risk’ adolescents. Children Australia, 26(2), 1334. doi.org/10.1017/S1035077200010178
Abstract
This article reviews recent research evidence about the effectiveness of residential care, education and treatment programs, singularly referred to as treatment programs, for ‘at risk’ adolescents. This evidence is drawn from child welfare, mental health services and education studies. The national and international evidence is that foster care is in crisis and is unable to provide stable and continuous placements for many of our most difficult youth. It is time to reconsider residential alternatives. The research suggests that these alternatives are not ‘all bad’ and that they have an important place in the continuum of child and family services.