Editorial

Regular readers will notice a different appearance to articles: we have adapted the template a little so that key indexing information stands out better in a sidebar on the front page, and articles have been individually categorised as original research articles, short articles, book reviews etc. We continue to be mindful of our responsibilities to make articles accessible to all readers; SJRCC articles are not behind a paywall, thanks to our publisher, CELCIS, and the text of articles is presented in a single column using an easily readable font. We hope readers approve of these changes and of course, the editorial team welcomes feedback.

The conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan continue to seriously damage the lives of children as a result of family dislocation and interrupted schooling, and an earthquake in western Nepal has destroyed houses, schools, and health centres. Many thousands of children have been killed or maimed since October 7 in the conflict affecting Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The spokespersons for the various actors involved in conflicts present their cases to the world’s media, and journalists risk their lives to report from the heart of war zones, with the effect that we watch on our TV screens helplessly the plight of the injured, the homeless, and the grieving. I was immensely moved by an interview conducted by journalist Matt Frei1 with Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is understood to be among the hostages taken by Hamas fighters. Goldberg said: ‘If you only get outraged when one side’s innocent children are slaughtered, then something is broken in you’.

The aim of this journal is to provide a service to those who work directly with children and youth who have experienced trauma, in whatever context that occurs, and particularly those who become looked after in alternative care as a result of conflicts. The power of research and the exchange of ideas about practice in child and youth care represent a glimmer of hope in a generally unsettling world.