Relational security: conceptualization and operationalization in small-scale, strengths-based, community-embedded youth justice facilities
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, vol. 17, pp. 99
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Given the developmental vulnerability of justice-involved youth, providing a safe environment in secure facilities is a paramount, yet challenging task. Within this complexity, a sound security framework is key. The security framework exists on three dimensions: physical, procedural and relational security. Existing knowledge points at the importance of a shift in focus on physical and procedural security towards relational security as the core of the security framework. At the same time there is a dearth of knowledge on relational security, particularly in the context of youth justice. This paper explores relational security and its working mechanisms in practice. METHODS: This paper draws on findings of a comprehensive three-year evaluation of three small-scale, community-embedded facilities that are grounded in relational security. The approach of the evaluation was derived from action research, involving a cyclic process alternating between action, research and critical reflection, while engaging all stakeholders in the research process. The action research cycle involved qualitative research (a total of 63 semi-structured interviews) incorporating the perspective of staff, youth and parents. RESULTS: Relational security is grounded in three distinct, but interrelated, elements - staff's basic attitude, a constructive alliance between staff and youth, staff presence - and promotes a safe and therapeutic environment through several mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Relational security can be defined in a practical conceptualization; outlining a way of working that guides staff in how to establish a safe and therapeutic environment in secure facilities. This conceptualization finds support in the well-established literature covering the therapeutic alliance and can be substantiated by two aligning theories concerning youth justice strategies: social-ecological theory and self-determination theory. Relational security is not only a way of working, but also a way of being. It encompasses a vision about security and mentality towards justice-involved youth that sees them not merely as 'risks to be managed', but primarly as 'resources to be developed'.
Authors 4
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Fleur Souverein corresponding
Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands. f.souverein@amsterdamumc.nl
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands. f.souverein@amsterdamumc.nl
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands. f.souverein@amsterdamumc.nl
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center · Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
Child development and education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
LUMC Curium - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
LUMC Curium – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Affiliation as printed
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Postbus 53, Nijmegen, 6500 AB, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
Academische Werkplaats Risicojeugd, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychosocial Care department Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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