Originally published in 1971, this title describes a series of studies dealing with the upbringing of children in residential institutions. Most work has been carried out in institutions for children with learning disabilities, although units caring for able but deprived children and children with physical disabilities have also been examined. The investigations have been concerned with the detailed nature of different institutional environments – that is, the routine patterns of daily life in hospital wards, hostels and cottages of children’s homes – rather than with the effects of specific child-rearing practices upon the intellectual, emotional and social development of the children. The more precise delineation of ‘the environment’ is an essential step towards the evaluation of residential services and the interpretation of their effects upon those who use them, yet this is an area which had received little systematic attention from social scientists at the time. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1971. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

First published in 1975, this book compiles a number of studies concerning institutional care and children, which address the question of why institutions that serve apparently similar functions differ so much. The book uses comparative methods such as measurement of different 'dimensions' of institutional care and analysis of interrelationships among specific structural and functional features which characterise particular institutions. As a result, the book draws broad conclusions about the importance of factors that have dynamic influence on the manner in which institutions function and the reasons why they differ. The editors reject the 'steampress' model which postulates that institutions are more or less alike. They discuss ideological and organisational variation, differences in staffing and the manner in which children respond to them, and consider these issues as factors that influence the way in which an institution functions 'as a whole'. Subsequent chapters describe comparative studies carried out in institutions for the mentally handicapped, approved schools, residential nurseries, probation hostels, other 'correctional' institutions and units for autistic children. The book enables the reader to appreciate achievements and shortcomings of contemporary research and thinking in this field.

First published in 1975, this book compiles a number of studies concerning institutional care and children, which address the question of why institutions that serve apparently similar functions differ so much. The book uses comparative methods such as measurement of different 'dimensions' of institutional care and analysis of interrelationships among specific structural and functional features which characterise particular institutions. As a result, the book draws broad conclusions about the importance of factors that have dynamic influence on the manner in which institutions function and the reasons why they differ. The editors reject the 'steampress' model which postulates that institutions are more or less alike. They discuss ideological and organisational variation, differences in staffing and the manner in which children respond to them, and consider these issues as factors that influence the way in which an institution functions 'as a whole'. Subsequent chapters describe comparative studies carried out in institutions for the mentally handicapped, approved schools, residential nurseries, probation hostels, other 'correctional' institutions and units for autistic children. The book enables the reader to appreciate achievements and shortcomings of contemporary research and thinking in this field.