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The effectiveness of interventions has become an important object of scientific study in child welfare and often a prerequisite for funding of child welfare programmes. Many studies on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at supporting families at risk and behavioural change of youth have suggested that features of the relationship between professional and client, and the characteristics of the professional, are decisive for the interventions' effectiveness. There are, however, few studies of what is important in terms of relational skills, personal characteristics or communication strategies. In this special issue, we focus on the dynamics of relationships between child welfare workers and clients (i.e., young people and/or their parents) by using direct observation and close analysis of naturally occurring processes. The contributions to this special issue have a 'bottom up' and a 'top down' approach in analysing relationships. The first part uses a 'bottom up' approach and reports on conversations between youth and family treatment parents in treatment homes. Using a 'top down' approach, the second part specifically focuses on Motivational Interviewing skills of care professionals in their interactions with youth. The third part covers the interactions between parents and professionals in the context of child protection using a 'bottom up' approach.

The effectiveness of interventions has become an important object of scientific study in child welfare and often a prerequisite for funding of child welfare programmes. Many studies on the effectiveness of interventions aimed at supporting families at risk and behavioural change of youth have suggested that features of the relationship between professional and client, and the characteristics of the professional, are decisive for the interventions' effectiveness. There are, however, few studies of what is important in terms of relational skills, personal characteristics or communication strategies. In this special issue, we focus on the dynamics of relationships between child welfare workers and clients (i.e., young people and/or their parents) by using direct observation and close analysis of naturally occurring processes. The contributions to this special issue have a 'bottom up' and a 'top down' approach in analysing relationships. The first part uses a 'bottom up' approach and reports on conversations between youth and family treatment parents in treatment homes. Using a 'top down' approach, the second part specifically focuses on Motivational Interviewing skills of care professionals in their interactions with youth. The third part covers the interactions between parents and professionals in the context of child protection using a 'bottom up' approach.

Research indicates that aftercare services can maintain the gains that are made during residential youth care and contribute to better long term outcomes. However, research also shows that the quality of aftercare services seems to be quite poor in practice. Therefore, this article offers a review about the current knowledge on the outcomes of aftercare services for adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems in residential youth care. In contrast to the expectations, the reviewed studies show little research evidence for the effectiveness of aftercare services following residential care. Several studies in the review indicate that aftercare can have positive outcomes, but the strength of this evidence is limited because of the weak evaluation methodology applied in the studies. In many studies the aftercare programs are not accurately described, so that it is unclear of which components a program consists and which care factors are associated with positive outcomes. Young people completing aftercare programs tend to show better outcomes than young people leaving aftercare prematurely. None of the outcome studies focused on both youth and their families in aftercare programs following residential care, despite the fact that family-focused aftercare especially might improve long term outcomes of residential care. The results point to the need for more good quality research to make clear which aftercare services are successful for whom after leaving residential care.

Research indicates that aftercare services can maintain the gains that are made during residential youth care and contribute to better long term outcomes. However, research also shows that the quality of aftercare services seems to be quite poor in practice. Therefore, this article offers a review about the current knowledge on the outcomes of aftercare services for adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems in residential youth care. In contrast to the expectations, the reviewed studies show little research evidence for the effectiveness of aftercare services following residential care. Several studies in the review indicate that aftercare can have positive outcomes, but the strength of this evidence is limited because of the weak evaluation methodology applied in the studies. In many studies the aftercare programs are not accurately described, so that it is unclear of which components a program consists and which care factors are associated with positive outcomes. Young people completing aftercare programs tend to show better outcomes than young people leaving aftercare prematurely. None of the outcome studies focused on both youth and their families in aftercare programs following residential care, despite the fact that family-focused aftercare especially might improve long term outcomes of residential care. The results point to the need for more good quality research to make clear which aftercare services are successful for whom after leaving residential care.

Despite its relevance and effectiveness in adjoining fields, still surprisingly little attention has been paid to Motivational Interviewing (MI) in the context of residential youth care. This study aims to analyse observed interactions between adolescents and group care workers during one-on-one conversations from a MI perspective. We specifically focused on the MI adherent and MI non-adherent behaviours of care workers on the one hand, and motivation for change in terms of 'change talk' and 'sustain talk' by adolescents on the other. Audio recordings of 27 conversations show that care workers most often use the MI non-adherent behaviours 'persuasion without permission' and 'confronting' when they try to change adolescents' attitudes or behaviours. MI adherent behaviours, i.e. 'being affirming', 'seeking collaboration' with and 'emphasizing autonomy' of the adolescent, are rarely used during the conversations. In terms of motivation for change, adolescents equally use 'change talk' and 'sustain talk' and often respond 'neutrally' to care workers. 'Change talk' and 'sustain talk' by the adolescent do not consistently follow MI adherent and non-adherent behaviours of care workers, and vice versa. The results suggest that MI training of care workers and more research on MI in residential youth care is wanted.

Despite its relevance and effectiveness in adjoining fields, still surprisingly little attention has been paid to Motivational Interviewing (MI) in the context of residential youth care. This study aims to analyse observed interactions between adolescents and group care workers during one-on-one conversations from a MI perspective. We specifically focused on the MI adherent and MI non-adherent behaviours of care workers on the one hand, and motivation for change in terms of 'change talk' and 'sustain talk' by adolescents on the other. Audio recordings of 27 conversations show that care workers most often use the MI non-adherent behaviours 'persuasion without permission' and 'confronting' when they try to change adolescents' attitudes or behaviours. MI adherent behaviours, i.e. 'being affirming', 'seeking collaboration' with and 'emphasizing autonomy' of the adolescent, are rarely used during the conversations. In terms of motivation for change, adolescents equally use 'change talk' and 'sustain talk' and often respond 'neutrally' to care workers. 'Change talk' and 'sustain talk' by the adolescent do not consistently follow MI adherent and non-adherent behaviours of care workers, and vice versa. The results suggest that MI training of care workers and more research on MI in residential youth care is wanted.

In the Netherlands, adolescents who have committed, or are suspected of committing a crime can be placed in a (residential) juvenile justice facility (JJF). These adolescents often have severe emotional and behavioural problems, and have dealt with aversive experiences in their past. In this paper we look at their perceptions on whether they feel that their views have been taken into account in decision-making processes during their stay in the facility. We held semi-structured interviews with 18 adolescents staying in a JJF. In these interviews we focused on their perceptions of participation. We transcribed the interviews using Atlas ti, version 7. We used both theory-driven as well as data-driven codes to analyse the data. In the results we distinguish between the content and setting of decisions (everyday versus higher order decisions), and the general perceptions of adolescents with regard to their participation in decision-making. Results indicate that within the structured context of the juvenile justice facility, there is a degree of freedom in which the adolescents are actively stimulated to participate. Overall, adolescents express forms of participation (feeling listened to, sharing views). This is both the case with everyday decisions and higher order decisions. However, some of the adolescents do not always feel that their participation is meaningful. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of looking further into the factors that underlie the possibilities of participation within coercive care.

The metaphor of the 'black box' has often been used in recent years to refer to characteristics of residential care that - although of pivotal importance - are not sufficiently transparent or known. Considering its importance for positive outcomes and the lack of research on this topic within the context of residential care, the current special issue focuses on the 'components' that facilitate change in behaviour and well-being of youth in residential care through an explicit orientation towards the perspectives and experiences of young people and professionals. This form of study can be called 'voices research'. The included studies present insights on the aspects of the residential youth care process that are important for the development and well-being of the youth in care and, therefore, the outcomes of care. Topics that will be addressed include the youth-adult relationship in residential care; the adolescents' perceptions of participation in secure care; the experience of pain in secure care; clients' and professionals' perspectives on the quality of care; the threats to the therapeutic milieu aspects of residential care; and the discovered benefits of workers' in-service training according to positive parenting practice models.

The metaphor of the 'black box' has often been used in recent years to refer to characteristics of residential care that - although of pivotal importance - are not sufficiently transparent or known. Considering its importance for positive outcomes and the lack of research on this topic within the context of residential care, the current special issue focuses on the 'components' that facilitate change in behaviour and well-being of youth in residential care through an explicit orientation towards the perspectives and experiences of young people and professionals. This form of study can be called 'voices research'. The included studies present insights on the aspects of the residential youth care process that are important for the development and well-being of the youth in care and, therefore, the outcomes of care. Topics that will be addressed include the youth-adult relationship in residential care; the adolescents' perceptions of participation in secure care; the experience of pain in secure care; clients' and professionals' perspectives on the quality of care; the threats to the therapeutic milieu aspects of residential care; and the discovered benefits of workers' in-service training according to positive parenting practice models.

In the Netherlands, adolescents who have committed, or are suspected of committing a crime can be placed in a (residential) juvenile justice facility (JJF). These adolescents often have severe emotional and behavioural problems, and have dealt with aversive experiences in their past. In this paper we look at their perceptions on whether they feel that their views have been taken into account in decision-making processes during their stay in the facility. We held semi-structured interviews with 18 adolescents staying in a JJF. In these interviews we focused on their perceptions of participation. We transcribed the interviews using Atlas ti, version 7. We used both theory-driven as well as data-driven codes to analyse the data. In the results we distinguish between the content and setting of decisions (everyday versus higher order decisions), and the general perceptions of adolescents with regard to their participation in decision-making. Results indicate that within the structured context of the juvenile justice facility, there is a degree of freedom in which the adolescents are actively stimulated to participate. Overall, adolescents express forms of participation (feeling listened to, sharing views). This is both the case with everyday decisions and higher order decisions. However, some of the adolescents do not always feel that their participation is meaningful. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of looking further into the factors that underlie the possibilities of participation within coercive care.

Residential child and youth care is not only the oldest but nowadays also one of the least 'sexy' forms of assistance for children and young people in need. Among other things, questions have been raised as to the effectiveness of residential placements, especially in comparison with well-conceptualized non-residential alternatives. The empirical proof for the ascribed lack of effectiveness is small. Outcome studies indicate a moderate-high level of change, i.e. reduction of problem behaviour in children and young people. It is likely that the care and assistance provided by group care workers is a key factor in bringing about positive change. In this article we investigate care worker functioning, their job satisfaction and their working methods in this discipline. Our focus will be on the quality of the social interaction and the working relationship between child and care worker. Research points to the importance of this common treatment factor. In addition to broadening the study of outcomes, in terms of both measurement type and time, we argue for a greater emphasis in research and practice on the status and personal characteristics of residential workers, partly in relation to the needs of children in their care.

Residential child and youth care is not only the oldest but nowadays also one of the least 'sexy' forms of assistance for children and young people in need. Among other things, questions have been raised as to the effectiveness of residential placements, especially in comparison with well-conceptualized non-residential alternatives. The empirical proof for the ascribed lack of effectiveness is small. Outcome studies indicate a moderate-high level of change, i.e. reduction of problem behaviour in children and young people. It is likely that the care and assistance provided by group care workers is a key factor in bringing about positive change. In this article we investigate care worker functioning, their job satisfaction and their working methods in this discipline. Our focus will be on the quality of the social interaction and the working relationship between child and care worker. Research points to the importance of this common treatment factor. In addition to broadening the study of outcomes, in terms of both measurement type and time, we argue for a greater emphasis in research and practice on the status and personal characteristics of residential workers, partly in relation to the needs of children in their care.