Amartya Sen's Human Capability Approach considers education a pivotal indicator of human development, and means to reduce poverty and social exclusion. In developing nations like India, education has remained inaccessible to many, especially vulnerable children and youth. Upon turning 18 years of age, youth who have lived in child care institutions are expected to leave care and transition into independent life on their own. While they receive basic education and vocational training in care, it falls short of quality higher education necessary for a smooth transition towards independent life. In an assessment of the situation of such youth in five States of India, Udayan Care, an NGO working with children and youth found that most of the Care Leavers (CLs) were forced to compromise on education and pursue jobs with low remuneration. This study examines the interrelatedness of education, poverty and social exclusion among CLs through secondary literature and empirical data from Udayan Care's national study. Analysing the findings from the lens of the Capability Approach, the gaps in provisions of educational support to CLs and subsequent limitations to address challenges of poverty and social exclusion of this population are highlighted, also making recommendations on ways to improve CLs' outcomes.

This paper is a condensed version of a study entitled “Beyond 18: Leaving Child Care Institutions — A Study of Aftercare Practices in Five States of India”, conducted and published in 2019 by Udayan Care, a charitable organisation, with support from UNICEF India and Tata Trusts. This research involved the participation of care leavers, government functionaries, duty-bearers, and civil society practitioners. It found that upon turning 18, youth transitioning out of child care institutions to independent life in India experience many challenges, such as securing housing and identity documents; accessing education, skill development, and employment opportunities; and garnering psychosocial support. This study also showed that absent or inadequate aftercare support during transition increases care leavers’ vulnerabilities to homelessness, unemployment, substance misuse, and ruptured social relationships. It also found that continued aftercare support is necessary to foster independent living skills in these young people and enable their reintegration into mainstream society. While exploring the continuum from child care to aftercare, the researchers developed the concept of a “Sphere of Aftercare”, comprising eight domains of support that are considered essential for a successful transition. The study revealed a lack of transition planning at the level of child care institutions and functionaries and a general lack of understanding of the holistic aftercare needs of youth throughout the eight identified domains. The study also found an absence of clarity about stakeholders’ roles; a lack of data management with regard to the number of youth leaving care, leading to inadequate budget planning; and a lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to assess care leavers’ outcomes. In light of this study’s findings, policy reforms and ways of developing robust aftercare programmes are recommended in relation to policy, practice, and law.