Listen to thisI begin this editorial comment by saying that I am deeply troubled by the ongoing war in Palestine and Israel, primarily as it has resulted in the deaths of so many children and leaving so many children and young people rootless and without caring individuals and communities around them. It seems like the world understands the solution to this issue, except those in positions of power. The sale of weapons and the tragic loss of innocent lives appears profitable. As a person of faith, I believe those responsible for these actions will not escape divine retribution, so it is in their best interest to permanently end this war! My heart goes out to the civilians, and especially the young ones, who have suffered as a result of this conflict. Let us pray for a quick resolution to this longstanding issue - for all our sakes.
With the rapid advancement in information technology and social media, I have been receiving numerous notifications from various organizations and agencies giving out ‘awards for service’. These notifications ask me either to apply for an award or to nominate someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the child and youth care sector. Awarding bodies seek out outstanding individuals or organizations who have broadly showcased: innovation, collaboration, diversity, impact, exceptional service, leadership, technological integration, and/or good governance in their field.
I find it fascinating how the culture of bestowing and receiving awards has gained such prominence, in contrast to years gone by when ‘nurturing and guiding’ children and young people in professional care was reward in itself. Now, the proliferation of award-bestowing entities, the plethora of themes, and the increased frequency and excessive expenditure on marketing and celebratory events have raised concerns regarding the authenticity and integrity of the ‘awards system’ and its role within care.
Historically, the residential child and youth sector has been unfairly treated, stigmatized and blamed, making it challenging to assert a positive role for residential child care in the current climate. Some claim that offering awards and recognition could act as an antidote to the persistent negativity surrounding child and youth care practice. Thus, pursuing awards can act as a powerful catalyst for improvement by promoting a culture of reflection and innovation, encouraging staff to aim for higher quality care standards. Moreover, the accolades garnered through awards can be instrumental in attracting much-needed funding to expand services and broaden outreach. Awards can have the power to uplift staff morale, offering them a sense of validation and accomplishment, which in turn can increase dedication to the field.
Recently I was reflecting on a Facebook post on Dr. Leon Fulcher‘s page regarding ‘core values’ within child and youth care practice. In August 2023, Leon met two former residents in Scotland whom he had supported some 50 years ago while working at Dr. Barnardo's Special Unit for Maladjusted Adolescents in Edinburgh. Michelle, the daughter of one of the former residents had written on Leon’s Facebook page:
”Last week, we had the pleasure of having the wonderful Leon and his wife Jane stay with us for a few days. He came into my dad's life at a pivotal point, and I can confidently say without him, I don’t think I would exist. Hearing stories of 'Leon used to take us ...' has always been a fond memory. He taught my dad lessons in life that I’ve since learned and carried forward in my own life with my own children, and it was an honour to spend time with you both and hear so many of your amazing stories. Martha adores the pair of you and can’t wait to take her special … into school to tell them all about it and her special friends that gave her it … and thank you for choosing to spend some of it with us xxx.”
Having spent a significant period of time in this sector, I can confidently state that numerous colleagues around the globe consistently work towards enhancing the lives of the children and young people they serve, often without any expectation of recognition or reward. Their unwavering commitment to empower and mentor these young individuals serves as a catalyst for their transformation. I am sure that many of us have had deeply rewarding experiences, despite the sacrifices required to work with children and young people. These ‘heroes’ have received heartfelt expressions of gratitude from the young lives they have touched, including phrases like "For you, I am here today”; "You are my life-changing hero"; "If you didn't help me, I would have been lost"; "You saved me"; "You acted like my father/mother/brother/uncle"; "Being with you was pure joy"; "If you did not guide me, I would have become a gangster or drug trafficker"; "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for going the extra mile for me" among many others. Yet these ‘changemakers’ never sought or expected any award. Their true reward lay in the positive transformation they hoped to bring into the lives of their wards and, thus, wider society.
I have encountered many stories of dedicated individuals who silently devote their lives to improving the well-being of children, young people, and their families. Some of them, like Som Paneru[1], Catherine Wanjiru Maina[2], Rita Venkatasawmy[3], Ashok Kumar Chakma[4], Dr. Enamul Haque[5], Martin Stabrey[6], Kiran Modi[7] and Mark Smith[8] could be called ‘heroes’, and who work tirelessly to bring positive changes in the lives of young people. Their efforts have positively impacted and transformed the lives of millions of young people.
Despite the ‘generational impact’ they have made on their respective countries and continents, they remain humble, focused on their mission, and never seek credit or recognition for their work. Unfortunately, most of these stories remain unknown, however, Mark’s recent book, "Boys Stories of Their Time in a Residential School: The Best Years of Our Lives," highlights some of the ‘rewarding’ stories from his past.
One of the most meaningful indicators of success for children and youth in care is the transition into adulthood with confidence and the skills necessary to make the world a better place. Successful transitions are not just about securing housing or employment; they are about instilling a sense of self-worth and the belief that they can contribute positively to society. The people who nurtured, guided, supported, and mentored hundreds of Ashok, Dr Enamul, and Martin to facilitate these transitions are ‘real heroes’ and never ask for recognition. However, it is no wonder why these individuals consider their carers and mentors as ‘life changers and ‘changemakers’.
The media may be full of horror stories of abuse within the state and religious-run institutions of the past, yet the many untold stories of care workers such as Leon, Ashok, Dr. Enamul, Martin, Som, Rita, Catherine, Kiran, and Mark have often gone unnoticed. Each of them has their own unique story, but in this case, we can focus on Leon, who can offer us pause for reflection. His compassionate guidance took the form of building and nurturing respectful connections, revisiting former residences, and rekindling old relationships. This not only rewarded him personally but also left an indelible direct positive impact spanning three generations: Michelle's father, Michelle herself, and her daughter, Martha. Michelle expressed her profound gratitude to Leon for being there during a critical juncture in her father's life. She firmly believes that, had it not been for Leon's support and guidance, she might not even exist today. She is grateful for the care Leon offered her father and his friends and the invaluable life lessons he imparted. For Leon, this acknowledgement is its own, more powerful, reward and a reminder to us of the profound and enduring impact we can exert on the lives of those in our care.
The current trend of award-giving culture raises serious concerns for me as it overshadows the genuine ‘relational’ work required in our care work. The allure of ‘recognition’ may lead to a focus on appearances over substance, with some organizations prioritizing the optics of success over the actual well-being of the young individuals they serve. The misalignment of priorities could divert resources away from essential care initiatives towards PR campaigns and award applications, leading to staff burnout and a focus on quantity over quality.
In the name of professionalization, innovation, theorization, and rights, the sector may be slowly losing its ‘connection’ with those it purports to support.
While organizations may feel they need the recognition and awards offered for funding and survival purposes, it is important to recognize that focusing too much on awards may overshadow countless rewarding stories of the individuals I have mentioned above, who with fanfare devote their lives to making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people. Even if an awards culture addresses negativity within care practices, criticism and victimization may still persist in some form or other. Critics will always find something to be critical about for their own survival!
Finding a balance between receiving recognition for our work and genuinely caring for children and young people may be a challenge. But it is a challenge that we must face to ensure that our effort remains focused on ‘building authentic relationships’ with those in our care. As such, we must choose between striving for recognition or creating positive memories that will endure in the lives of those in our care.
[1] International President of the Nepal Youth Foundation and the Founding President of the Ullens Education Foundation.
[2] Officer-in-Charge of the Secretariat at The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
[3] Ombudsperson for Children in the Republic of Mauritius.
[4] Executive Director of Moanoghar, a residential children's home that provides care and support to over 1200 tribal children in Bangladesh. He was raised in the Moanoghar.
[5] National Director of SOS Children Village Bangladesh. He was raised in SOS Children Village Bangladesh.
[6] Chief Operations Officer of CYC-Net and Managing Editor of CYC-Online. He has fond memories of his time in the children's home, which he considers his place of belonging.
[7] Managing Trustee of Udayan Care in India, an organization that provides group care to thousands of children and young people.
[8] Social work professor at Dundee University, before working in academia, he was a practitioner and manager in residential schools for almost 20 years.
