Phase 1: Policy Analysis 

This document presents an overview of the findings from Phase 1 of the Strengthening Relationships and Connections in Therapeutic Residential Care project. This phase focused on analysing current policies to understand how they shape relational practices within therapeutic residential care settings.

What are the research aims?

This large-scale mixed methods study seeks to understand the practices that help young people living in therapeutic residential care to form strong, healthy relationships and have a positive self-identity. 

What did we find out?

There is a strong alignment between policy documentation underpinning ITC and contemporary available literature outlining promising trauma-informed approaches. Despite a strong emphasis on compliance and risk approaches in Australia child safety policy, relational practices involving standardisation and compliance did not dominate the policy landscape.