Making meaningful connections: assessing for clinical work in a child residential setting

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the clinical assessment of children and the development of a multi-disciplinary team in an established residential school for children aged five to 12.

Design/methodology/approach

Using clinical examples the paper describes how assessment can identify different levels of therapeutic need, and then how the decision is made whether or not to offer milieu therapy, music therapy, dramatherapy or psychotherapy.

Findings

The paper suggests that children who have early histories of abuse and trauma have differing clinical needs.

Practical implications

The implication is that children will engage better with the therapy if the level of intervention is sensitive to their state of mind, which in turn will help them make better use of the environmental provision of the school.

Originality/value

The paper offers an original perspective on the possibilities and limitations of psychotherapeutic work with extremely vulnerable damaged children in a residential therapeutic setting, the Mulberry Bush.

Citation

Onions, C. (2013), "Making meaningful connections: assessing for clinical work in a child residential setting", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-06-2013-0019