How research has influenced child care practice

Robertson and Balby - found if a child is removed from parent temperarily, eg hospital admission, child may undergo protest despair detachment, Restricted visiting makes this effect worse. 

Changes: Unrestricted, open visiting allowing parents to visit for longer periods of time or even sleep there to stop child detatching themselves from the parent. When parent unable to visit child  hospital tries to keep familar routines the same, and discusses parents with the child.  Children in care are assigned a key worker so child can form emotional bonds with a consistent carer.

Balby - suggests children have a critical period for attachement formation, leading to problems if child adopted after this period, as child is then unable to form attachements.

Changes - Babies put up for adoption ASAP to enable a secure attachemnet bond to be formed with the adoptive family.. Childs primary carer should be kept as constant as possible during their early years.

Research shown children perform best when staff to child ratio is low, so staff can invest time with each child as an individual.

Changes- ch appointed a key worker to act as a substitute carer during day care. Key worker should be there during particulaly stressful parts of the day (drop off, pick up)

Research shown that it is no use having a key worker if the key worker does not stay the same for very long. Lack of continuity can be harmfull and prevent children forming close bonds with day care workers. High turnover of staff can raise problems for childrens social development.

Changes - organisations try to establish continuity of care, finding ways to ensure staff look after the same children. This enables bonds to be formed and ensures chidrens social development is supported.eg improving working conditions for staff.