Prof. Dr. GHP. van der Helm is also a professor at Leiden University of Applied Sciences and does research on adolescents and young adults who are not lucky in our society. We often find these young people in specialized education, (closed) juvenile institutions and correctional facilities, in the mental health care system but also, for example, in family homes and institutions for the disabled. Adults are found, for example, in closed (forensic) psychiatry and in TBS.

Research methods

We examine (qualitatively and quantitatively) in a broad sense how to improve education, treatment, motivation for treatment and day care, but also the circumstances (the 'living climate') that influence their education ('the learning climate'). We also examine the 'working climate,' the perception of employees and their professional actions.

Expertise

Peer van der Helm has a broad expertise in the field of education, (youth) care and behavior (including for example criminal behavior, but also behavior when it comes to people with disabilities, trauma or serious psychiatric problems who sometimes stay in institutions for a long time and get stuck in their treatment such as anorexia or suicide. We then search together with those involved (and their parents) and network, social workers and what is possible and try to start innovative ways of cooperation with social partners and sometimes a psychosocial assistance dog. Together with Professor Stams (UvA) we also investigate the effect of these treatments, through overarching studies, so-called 'meta-analyses' and try alternative treatment, where usual interventions have failed. We advise schools, the field and municipalities in the Netherlands in this regard. We work closely with Universities of applied sciences, a number of other universities and institutions, both in the Netherlands and abroad such as Belgium, Germany, Estonia and some western Balkan countries.

Research themes

Important substantive themes include innovations in the living, learning and working climate (the pedagogical basis) as well as applied educational and care ethics (Ethics of Care), motivation (Self-Determination Theory), and human and children's rights. We regularly communicate these themes, not only through scientific channels but also through short, readable pieces in "normal language" about scientific innovations on internet sites such as Sociale Vraagstukken, Sociaalweb and linked in for social workers, parents, young people, municipalities and policy makers. In this way we also contribute to the social debate from a scientific argumentation.

Research keywords:

• Innovation in specialised education and care
• Interventions
• Pedagocial base
• Self Determination Theory
• Work climate
• Ethics of Care
• Human and children's rights

Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on the above themes, guest lectures at home and abroad and supervision of currently seven PhD students at home and abroad.