Appropriate and inappropriate relationships: David's story

Nicola: a residential care worker. Nicola is not the writer's real name.

At just about every level, conceptually, politically and professionally, it is accepted that properly close relationships are the heart of social work practice. Bronfenbrenner, for instance, states that 'every child needs at least one adult who's crazy about them' (1977, p.5). Gilligan advocates for the necessity for children and young people to experience an 'emotional connection' to another human being in order to influence 'healthy human development' (2008, p.46). Ricks (1992) states that 'the presence of feelings provides the link which connects the worker and client. Very simply put, without this connection, without feelings in the relationship, the people do not matter to each other' (1992, p.51).