Applying a Modified Situational Leadership Model to Residential Group Care Settings

This paper offers a new perspective on staff interactions with children and youth in care. The author proposes a four part, two-dimensional design adapted from empirically-based models found in the literature on organizational leadership, parenting, and group development. A review of those sources suggests that, whereas each of four “leadership styles” might be used appropriately in one situation or another, there is one style, combining control and empathy, that is best suited to meet the needs of the majority of children and youth in care most of the time.