This blog post, written by Katherine Baxter, shares insights into the behind the scenes work taking place to support young people in secure care. Katherine spent time with Robert Clark (senior manager) and staff at the Good Shepherd Centre to find an answer to the question 'Who cares for the carers?'.

Some of the issues raised in the blog include how

• staff remain hopeful that they can make a contribution towards a better life for young people
• staff maintain belief and pride in the work they do in the face of misconceptions and lack of knowledge of the work they do
• managers show leadership and create the right environment to nurture hope for the staff and young people

Click on the button below to read 'Who Cares for the Carers?'

Read 'Who Cares for the Carers?'

About Talking Hope

Talking Hope is a research project which seeks to answer the question: To what extent can creating safe conversational spaces among diverse stakeholders help cultivate hope in the context of young people considered to be at high risk?

The project aims to  support more hopeful conversations with and about young people who are identified as being high risk and are in (or have experienced) secure care to promote strengths based relational practice.

Partners in this project include:

• University of Strathclyde
• The Good Shepherd Centre
• The Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ)
• East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership
• Ayrshire and Arran Health Board CAMHS
• IRISS
• The Institute for Inspiring Children's Futures
• The Welltree Foundation

You can find out more about Talking Hope on their website.