The usefulness of difficult situations. An action-research on critical events and educational practices in residential care services

Abstract

This action-research engages the Juvenile Justice Centre of Venice and 9 Residential Care Services of Triveneto that house minors who have committed offences (Art. 22 of DPR 448/88) to identify, formalize and evaluate shared methods of educational work. Considering the indispensable functions of the Residential Care Services for these children (Leloux-Opmeer et al., 2016; Carrà, 2014; Del Valle, Bravo, 2013), and critical issues about the effectiveness of educational actions in these contexts highlighted in literature (Marchesini, Monacelli, Molinari, 2019; Palareti, Berti, Bastianoni, 2006; Barth, 2005), the investigation has a pragmatic intent and interprets difficult situations as pivotal. A series of focus groups are in place to identify critical events, promoting dialogue and dissemination: the aim is to share elements related to the system of taking charge and effectively building on the mandate to foster successful educational processes.