Designing with Care - Interior Design and Residential Child Care Final Report

Docherty, Catherine and Kendrick, Andrew and Sloan, Paul and Lerpiniere, Jennifer (2006) Designing with Care - Interior Design and Residential Child Care Final Report. Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care. (https://www.celcis.org/knowledge-bank/search-bank/...)

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Abstract

This exploratory study examined the attitudes to a range of design interventions in four residential care homes for children in South Lanarkshire. The project set out to identify the benefits and disadvantages to young people and staff of a change in approach to the design of interior spaces. It was undertaken by Farm7 (specialists in design research and consultancy) and the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC). The main focus of the research was to evaluate design interventions aimed at removing 'institutional' approaches to design in the care environment and improving the experience of looked after children. This involved the commissioning of interior design consultants Graven Images in the development and design of South Lanarkshire's residential children's homes. Post-occupancy evaluation of the four residential homes was undertaken with the participation of both looked after children and staff. It was envisaged that this study would contribute to the development of design guidance that will promote a more systematic approach to the design of care environments. This will allow social work and design professionals to draw on a design framework in order to significantly enhance the experience of looked after children and staff.

CORE (COnnecting REpositories)