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Supporting transitions to adulthood for youth leaving care: Consensus based principles

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  • Harder, Annemiek T.
  • Mann-Feder, Varda
  • Oterholm, Inger
  • Refaeli, Tehila

Abstract

The transition to adulthood for young people leaving care has become a significant subject of research over recent decades, especially given consistent findings that suggest that alumni of care are at high risk of adverse outcomes. However, there is no definitive consensus on how findings from research can best inform practice with youth in transition out of care. The aim of the present article is to provide principles that can support practice based on a project mounted by a group of international care leaving researchers. These principles include, among others, the importance of listening to the young people, to supporting their autonomy during and after care as well as their cultural identity and diversity, to ensuring their access to education after care, to ensure preparation for leaving care and ensure that care leavers rights are upheld so that they get the support they need. The discussion considers these principles in light of the micro-, meso- and macrosystem levels in Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological model (1994) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and reviews the challenges of generating these principles. In addition, implications for policy are highlighted in relation to rights, entitlements and access to services.

Suggested Citation

  • Harder, Annemiek T. & Mann-Feder, Varda & Oterholm, Inger & Refaeli, Tehila, 2020. "Supporting transitions to adulthood for youth leaving care: Consensus based principles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:116:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920303595
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Federica Gullo & Laura García-Alba & Amaia Bravo & Jorge F. del Valle, 2021. "Crossing Countries and Crossing Ages: The Difficult Transition to Adulthood of Unaccompanied Migrant Care Leavers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Fernández-Simo, Deibe & Victoria Carrera-Fernández, María & Manuel Cid-Fernández, Xosé & Correia Campos, Edgar, 2023. "The time and community dimensions in socio-educational intervention strategies with adolescents in care during the transition to adult life," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    4. Hagleitner, Wolfgang & Sting, Stephan & Maran, Thomas, 2022. "Socio-economic status and living situation of care leavers in Austria," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    5. Ángel De-Juanas & Francisco Javier García-Castilla & Diego Galán-Casado & Jorge Díaz-Esterri, 2020. "Time Management by Young People in Social Difficulties: Suggestions for Improving Their Life Trajectories," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-18, December.
    6. van Breda, Adrian D. & Munro, Emily R. & Gilligan, Robbie & Anghel, Roxana & Harder, Annemiek & Incarnato, Mariana & Mann-Feder, Varda & Refaeli, Tehila & Stohler, Renate & Storø, Jan, 2020. "Extended care: Global dialogue on policy, practice and research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Jill R. McTavish & Christine McKee & Masako Tanaka & Harriet L. MacMillan, 2022. "Child Welfare Reform: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, October.

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