Voices from the frontline: group care workers’ insights on quality group care for adolescents

Research on group care has yielded conflicting results, creating a gap in understanding the impact of group care on youth in the child welfare system. One perspective often missing is the perspective of group care workers involved in the daily care of youth in congregate care. This study adds to the limited research in this area by exploring the perspectives of 22 group care workers on how to improve group care for adolescents involved in the US child welfare system. Research questions addressed participants’ views about adolescents’ needs in group care, strategies employed to address these needs, and suggestions for improving group care and the child welfare system more generally. Participants shared that youth in group care have experienced many adverse childhood experiences and rejection, problems that are exacerbated by failed placements. They stressed recognizing youths’ developmental needs and acknowledging their strengths rather than adopting deficit perspectives. Participants also called for increased respect and decision-making authority for group care workers, mainly as manifested through enhanced collaboration with other members of youth support teams, specifically case managers. They also advocated for more comprehensive job training, emphasizing trauma-informed care. Lastly, group care workers advocated incorporating adolescents’ voices in decisions about their lives, including placement choices.