Making a home, finding a job: investigating early housing and employment outcomes for young people leaving care

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a new study of outcomes for young people leaving care funded by the Department for Education and Skills. It reports findings for a sample of 106 young people in relation to progress made in housing and employment some 12-15 months after leaving care. The generally poor employment outcomes of care leavers are acknowledged, but ingredients that make for success are also highlighted, including the value of settled care and post-care careers, sound career planning and, significantly, the value of delaying young people's transitions from care. Early career paths also interconnect with how young people fare in housing, in developing life skills and with other problems in their lives after leaving care. Housing outcomes were more encouraging and predominantly shaped by events after leaving care, and faring well in housing was the factor most closely associated with positive mental well-being in young people. Some groups that are at risk of faring badly are identified, including young people with mental-health problems, young people with persistent offending or substance misuse problems and, in some respects, young disabled people. The implications of these findings for leaving care services are considered

Découvrir le sens de l’expérience du passage à la vie adulte en contexte de vulnérabilité : une démarche d’analyse par théorisation enracinée

“…Pour d'autres, privés de ces formes de soutien de proximité, l'autre possibilité consiste à solliciter l'assistance de programmes sociaux avec le risque de voir cette période de dépendance envers les modes d'assistance publique se muer en problématique d'exclusion. En l'absence de soutien facilitant la négociation du PVA, la transition a plutôt tendance à s'accélérer (Wade & Dixon, 2006) et à se traduire par l'endossement prématuré de responsabilités adultes.…”

Gaining a Foothold: How Housing and Belonging Support Youth-at-Risk in Getting a Grip on Adulthood

“…Berzin et al [34] reported that stable housing became a critical goal for young people leaving foster care, referring to it as the most salient prerequisite for independent living. Wade & Dickson [19] found secure independent housing to be the factor youth most highly associated with mental well-being, overriding the significance of both education and employment. Viewed from this perspective, adequate and secure housing holds top priority on leveling the road to independent adult living.…”

“…The significance of "normality", with privacy and a place to house belongings is emphasized in several studies [19] [24] [34]. According to Padgett [24], having one's own home contributes to ontological security through a contribution to the sense of continuity regarding life events.…”

“…Wade & Dickson [19] emphasized a need for special attention and follow-up for youthat-risk. Simon [17] underscored a necessity for housing-support professionals to offer services for developing independent living skills.…”

Impact of Residential Care Culture on Quality of Life of Care Leavers

“…The highest scores were reported among children in a day-group setting, followed by children in secure placements, while children from mainstream schools came third (comparison group), and the worst results were found among the young people in the residential group. The quality of life in residential care leavers may be affected by objective difficulties relating to living conditions in areas such as accommodations (Biehal & Wade, 1999, Wade & Dixon, 2006, employment, education (Jackson, 2008), income, and health (Dixon, 2008); as well as by subjective satisfaction with life -self-respect, mental health, partner relations, social support, desires, expectations, and meaning of life (Dixon, 2008).…”