Care leavers’ views on their transition to adulthood: a rapid review of the evidence

Young people with direct experience of leaving care are best placed to evaluate and comment on the care system and how it has worked for them. this rapid review sought to place their voices at the forefront of our development work on well-being and care leavers.

Care Leavers’ experIence oF LeavIng Care

• Young people’s sense of control over the timing and decision to leave care varied; for some taking the next steps in life was positive, for others independence came too soon.
• not everyone felt they had received enough preparation support: some reported they were not ready to take on the challenges of adult life.
• Young people said services usually focused on helping them develop practical skills, but too little attention was given to preparing them emotionally.

Life after Care

• independence did not always live up to young people’s hopes and plans. for some it brought uncertainty about the future.
• for many, the best thing about leaving care was gaining independence - being able to make their own decisions, get a job and their own home. in contrast, the worst thing was often the responsibility of managing on their own and struggling on a low income.
• care leavers often struggled to manage their money, and some wanted more help with this

Relationships

• care leavers wanted people who cared about them and helped them successfully move on from care in their lives. But not everyone found the support they needed.
• Many young people felt very lonely and socially isolated since leaving care. Some reported that this affected their emotional well-being and triggered mental ill-health.
• Some care leavers struggled to trust others, because past relationships had been disrupted or they had previously been let down.
• coping with transitions was easier for care leavers who had a key person to go to for help.
• not getting support from workers was an issue for some care leavers.
• Young people valued ongoing support from their previous foster and residential carers, but only some benefitted from these.
• re-connecting with birth family had led to improved and strengthened relationships for some. for others it triggered renewed disappointment or problems.
• partners were supportive for some young people, but others had volatile experiences.
• Siblings and friends could be important sources of support, but some had lost contact with these important people.

Life as a Care Leaver

• Some young people felt strongly that the care system had not sufficiently equipped them with an understanding of their background and personal history.
• Young people commented on being labelled or judged for being in care and a care leaver.
• Young people valued being listened to, but involvement in decision-making at both an individual and collective level was mixed.
• Some young people described not feeling part of pathway planning and felt it lacked connection to their lives.
• when pathway planning was positive it helped young people to reflect, set targets and keep things on track.
• care leavers were not always clear about their rights and entitlements and wanted better information.

Responsibilities of Early Adulthood

• Young people emphasised the importance of feeling safe in their homes and neighbourhoods and having good quality housing. Living in an unsafe area was stressful.
• care leavers were keen to talk about their goals and aspirations. education or employment could provide a source of income and stability but also an alternative identity
• disrupted or negative school experiences; low self-esteem and confidence and changes in circumstances such as bereavement, family problems or becoming a parent could be barriers to education and employment.
• Young people enjoyed a range of hobbies; spending time with friends, sport and music but they identified time, money and motivation as barriers to pursuing these activities since leaving care.
• in several studies young people said that leaving care had an adverse effect on their general health and some experienced a rise in mental health problems after care.

Care Leavers wIth additional needs

• Some care leavers reported negative peer influence and financial or sexual exploitation.
• disabled young people wanted the same opportunities as their peers but sometimes felt treated differently.
• Some young parents talked about their parenting skills being more scrutinised because they were in care.
• worrying about the future because of uncertainty about what would happen featured both for young people seeking asylum and young people

Conclusion

Care leavers identified that good transitions from care were supported by quality relationships with the people that were important to them, being supported in decisions and help with achieving their aspirations. Looking across the review strongly reinforces the message that effective services must always start with, and continue to champion, the voice of young people. in custody