The role of Manager's beliefs and implementation of practices which can facilitate attachment in Children's Homes in Chile

The experience of living in a Children’s Home can have a significant positive impact on children’s lives. Studies have shown that attachment styles can be improved in these settings, through staff training programmes and changes to structural elements of care. Managers of Children’s Homes can be crucial figures in these processes; however, little research has been conducted to explore Managers’ beliefs and the extent to which these beliefs influence practices in the Homes they manage. This article presents the results of a study conducted with a sample of Managers of Children’s Homes in Chile (N=17) to explore their beliefs about attachment. Observational field measures were also conducted to explore a) the quality of care provided within the residential setting; b) attachment based practices; and c) children’s outcomes. Although most Managers’ endorsed attachment-supportive beliefs, in some cases there was large variation between expressed beliefs and the actual practices observed in residential settings. Overall, standardisation of training and guidance on good practice are urgently needed to improve outcomes for children.