Norwegian version

Public defence: Ane Slaatto

Ane Slaatto will defend her thesis for the PhD in Social Work and Social Policy with “Youth voices matter!" Safety and meaningful participation: Perspectives of youth and staff in Norwegian residential facilities.

The trial lecture lasts from 10:00-10:45, and the title will be announced.

The candidate will defend her thesis at 12:00. 

The ordinary opponents are:

The leader of the public defence is Vice-Dean Nathalie Hyde-Clarke, Faculty of Social Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University.

The main supervisor is Professor Gunn Astrid Baugerud, Oslo Metropolitan University.

The co-supervisors are Professor II John Kjøbli  and Researcher Anneli Mellblom, both at Regional Centres for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (RKBU).     

Summary

This dissertation contributes to the literature with four published articles on how youth and staff experience safety, conflict management, and meaningful participation in residential care. It also deepens understanding of youth perspectives on living in residential facilities and highlights safety as an important concern for youth as well as for staff. The main positive finding is that staff experienced an increased safety and improved practice after attending the Basic Training Program in Safety and Security. Findings also point to some concerns. 

Results suggest that the facilitation and implementation of meaningful participation for youth living in residential facilities is inadequate, with one possible consequence being that the youth feel powerless in voicing their opinion and do not experience control and influence over their lives. Another concern is that several youths reported that they feel they do not matter and are on hold, just waiting for life to start.