Private Living in a Public Place

Abstract

This account of life in a residential setting shows that it is both similar to, and different from, work in other arenas. Residential work has always been something of a cinderella service. Few enrol on courses in order to embark on a career in this sector. Low status, shiftwork and the difficulties of working in close proximity to clients all contribute to its unpopularity. Excessive staff turn-over and low morale have long been problems. This unpopularity is reflected in the relative absence of academic interest in this area of practice. Residential work is remarkably under-researched and marginalized within most training courses. Both staff and students commonly exhibit an absence of curiosity about the experience of residential life.