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Child and Youth Care

Resources to build trust and support young people in accessing their inner strengths

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[It’s] not merely the content of the phrases exchanged nor the nature of the activities in which [we’re] engaged…[it’s] also the give-and-take with clear cycles of approach and withdrawals, continuously maintaining each other’s rhythm, that create meaningful relationships.


Henry Maier, PhD (1919-2005)

The Reference Cards

These compact and accessible resource cards adapted from the Characteristics of a Relational Child and Youth Care Approach are an invaluable tool for helping professionals and teams. Designed as a convenient reference tool, they prompt individual reflection and foster meaningful discussions within care teams, enhancing shared understanding and cohesion in supporting young people. Each card highlights one of the 25 essential dimensions of the helping relationship, complemented by selected quotes from global subject matter experts.


Includes 35 reference cards (25 characteristics + 10 quotes), a storage box, and a fold-out mini-poster.


Print your own reference cards (PDF)

Source articles also available as free download below

Purchase reference cards

The Book

Caring to Connect: Nurturing Hopeful, Healing Relationships with Young People is essential reading for professionals in the helping fields. Curated and edited by James Freeman, this collection offers valuable insights into fostering healing and hopeful relationships. Paperback, 116 pages, including a study guide for deeper reflection.

Purchase paperback

The Podcast

The Art of Relational Care is a must-listen for anyone engaging in helping relationships with young people. Facilitated by James Freeman, this conversational series features subject matter experts from around the globe, providing practical insights into building trust and creating safe, empowering spaces. Limited series ad-free podcast, 8 episodes.


Download show notes (PDF)

Coming soon

Free Downloads

This collection features articles on trauma-informed and relational care approaches written by James Freeman and colleagues, along with some highlights from the archives. You can also access selected articles on ResearchGate with over 25K reads.

Fear, Uncertainty, and Relational Care in the Face of COVID-19 (English) - by James Freeman (pdf)Download
Fear, Uncertainty, and Relational Care in the Face of COVID-19 (Arabic) (pdf)Download
Children in Care in the United States - by James Freeman (published in Jugendhilfe) (pdf)Download
Article by Thom Garfat, James Freeman, Kiaras Gharabaghi and Leon Fulcher on the CYC characteristics (pdf)Download
Article by James Freeman and Thom Garfat on the BID framework (pdf)Download
Being-Interpreting-Doing (BID) graphic (pdf)Download
Adolescenthood - by Henry Maier (pdf)Download
Piagetian Principles Applied to the Beginning Phase in Professional Helping - by Henry Maier (pdf)Download

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