Understanding and applying psychological formulation in secure children's homes: Insights from residential staff

Psychological formulation helps to develop an understanding of an individual's experiences and how they make sense of these. There is limited research around staff's perspectives of psychological formulation within the Children and Young People Secure Estate (CYPSE). The aim of this research was to explore residential staff's lived experiences of utilising and applying formulation into their practice, discover the impact on working relationships with young people (YP) and identify what role formulation has for future practice and policy.

Nine qualitative semi-structured interviews were facilitated with residential staff in two secure children's homes (SCH) in England. An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was utilised, and five themes were developed.

Psychological formulation enhanced trauma-informed understandings, promoted collaboration among professionals, helped to develop therapeutic relationships with YP, created psychological safety and promoted empowerment. Additionally, formulation processes were flexible, which helped staff to adapt their approaches to be more trauma-informed and person-centred.

Future practice/policy should consider systemic challenges limiting engagement and prioritise YP's views on being involved in the formulation process. Implications for clinical practice are discussed as well as recommendations for future research.