Care-leaving in South Africa: an international and social justice perspective

Abstract

Internationally, the care-leaving debate began in the 1970s. The poor outcomes associated with care-leaving in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia prompted attention resulting in policy change in recent years, which continues to develop. The experience and outcomes for care leavers in South Africa reflects that of their contemporaries in other countries, however, contextual factors compound the problems that they face and there is little support available to them. This paper discusses some of the challenges facing care leavers and the development of the care-leaving debate, legislation and policy in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. A comparison of the care-leaving arena in South Africa and the support services available to care leavers in the different countries will be presented. The paper concludes by arguing that the absence of services for care leavers is a neglect of the state's responsibility as corporate parent, and represents an issue of social justice.

NEET as an Outcome for Care Leavers in South Africa: The Case of Girls and Boys Town

“…Their transitions during this period of emerging adulthood means at 18 years old, care leavers are faced with sudden changes alongside all the "usual" challenges of this time. Furthermore, in many countries like SA, there is no provision from the state, or residential facilities, for aftercare support (Bond, 2018). This results in these youth being particularly vulnerable and why care leavers who become NEET are at greater risk of further vulnerability.…”

Female care leavers' journey to young adulthood from residential care in South Africa: Gender‐specific psychosocial processes of resilience

“…Care‐leaving research consistently finds poorer outcomes for young people leaving care (Dickens, 2018; Elsley, Backett‐Milburn, & Jamieson, 2007; Ibrahim & Howe, 2011; Sulimani‐Aidan, Benbenishty, Dinisman, & Zeira, 2013; van Breda & Dickens, 2015). Although contextual differences, such as racism, sexism and access to resources, shape the challenges experienced (van Breda & Dickens, 2016), most care leavers, compared with young people in the general population, go through a more challenging transition towards young adulthood (Bond, 2018; Mamelani, 2013; Moodley, Raniga, & Sewpaul, 2020; Tanur, 2012).…”

Care Leavers’ and Their Care Workers’ Views of Preparation and Aftercare Services in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…The available literature suggests that the experiences of, and outcomes for, South African care leavers reflect that of their international peers (L. F. Dickens, van Breda, & Marx, 2015;van Breda, 2017). However, the situation of South African care leavers is exacerbated by high unemployment rates among youth, the absence of mandated preparation services and aftercare support, and the lack of clear policy that speaks to the provision of services to care leavers (Bond, 2018). Further, transition and aftercare services are not required to be provided.Therefore, it may be argued that the provision of preparation services to young people while they are in care and transition services once they have left care is of critical importance in addressing these outcomes and issues.…”

“…Compounding these issues is the absence of mandated services for care leavers in South Africa. Although transitional services were mentioned as early as 1997 in the White Paper for Social Welfare (RSA, 1997), and more recently in the Children's Act (RSA, 2005), they are discretionary and are not a requirement (Bond, 2018). The lack of follow-up services puts further pressure on this group of young people to be independent without benefit of a gradual, supported movement toward adulthood.…”