Guest editorial

Basically, we all want the same for the children and young people with whom we work. It is not only a particular set of circumstances we strive for, but a set of attitudes which prepare children and young people to go forward into adulthood with personal resources which empower them to live hopeful and satisfying lives. We want young people leaving care settings to be able to make choices which keep them safe and provide opportunities for meaningful inclusion in society. Attachment theory and resilience models provide us with invaluable signposts in terms of how we organise our systems and support plans for vulnerable young people, in the full range of care settings, to achieve these goals.