This chapter from Residential Child and Youth Care in a Developing World: Global Perspectives, First Edition discusses how residential care has evolved and how it currently exists in the English-Speaking Caribbean. The writer of this chapter Letnie F. Rock notes that due to the volatile historic changes in the Caribbean, residential care for children in the Caribbean has developed sporadically, particularly as compared to Western countries. The history of residential care dates to the slavery-era. From that time, outside countries often attempted to start residential centers for children without parents. Rock states that nonetheless, it was not until after states such as Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago were able to secure political independence around the 1960’s that a state organized system of residential care for children began to emerge in these countries.
Caribbean countries did not develop similarly, their development varied from state to state. Rock continues by pointing out that residential care developed to serve the needs of children facing different types of problems. Every effort is made to see to the children who need care and protection.
Rock states that today residential care facilities for children and the young can be found in most countries in the area. The occupancy level of residential homes vary depending on the size of the facility, which can range anywhere from 5 to 42 residents. Each country has an agency that decides the regulatory framework for these residential care facilities.
This chapter discusses the reasons children may end up in residential care. Rock notes that due to the recent rise of drug trafficking in the region, some children while travelling with their parents are placed in residential care after their parent(s) were apprehended at a port of entry for possession of illegal drugs. He also notes that children who commit crimes may be place in residential care. Placement in care could be short-term on long-term depending on the circumstances.
Rock points out that most children are referred to residential placement by social workers, police officers, the courts, or the parents/caregivers. Most parents can visit their children with the permission of the responsible social service agency. Children are often discharged when their parents are appropriately able to care for them.
Rock also shares the stories of two children who were in residential care, Joe and Kevin. Joe was admitted into residential care when he was a few months old. He spent nearly his whole life in care. He was constantly angry and in trouble. A year after he left the facility, he did not have a job. He ended up dying in a stabbing. Kevin was also admitted very young. He was a year old. Kevin grew up as a model child in residential care. He eventually left. He was provided after-care services and obtained good employment.
Rock states that residential care is managed differently throughout the region, although there are some commonalities. Children’s daily routines are structured. Discipline is fairly part of the routine in residential care. Children who are ill receive care, and special needs are met. Various categories of staff are employed to work with children. This staff usually works in shifts. Disabled children may be placed in homes with other disabled children, or they could be placed in homes with non-disabled children. There are also provisions for children in conflict with the law.
Rock closes by stating that following the CRC, there have been calls for residential care reform within the region. He states while residential care is deemed a safe place for children, there are constraints in the system, such as lack of funding, weak management, insufficient social work, etc. He states that it is important that children in the system do not languish there.