Resilience: a study of risk and protective factors from the perspective of young people with experience of local authority care

Abstract

local authority, young people aged 13-19 with experience of local authority care were asked to provide their views of what makes a difference to them. As Jackie Dearden makes clear in this article, young people consistently reported on themes collated from previous research into resilience and identified factors which were most and least helpful. The compelling personal accounts draw attention to what services could do to increase protective factors which include interest of carers, access to facilities, taking bullying seriously, a clear sense of a positive future and adults who listen. Additionally, positive change occurred most often after significant changes in circumstances, especially transition phases, providing turning points for some young people. Such personal stories present a powerful perspective that would be hard for service providers to ignore. This raises the question of how local authorities are routinely consulting with vulnerable young people.

Building productive relationships with young people with SEBD in transition: the role of identity

“…Transitions are moments of possibility, when experiences of change allow the individual to develop in new ways, for better or worse (Dearden 2004;Smokowski, Reynolds, and Bezrucko 1999). Countless young people find leaving school a positive experience, through which they develop their independence and move towards their adult goals.…”

Resiliencia académica, nuevas perspectivas de interpretación del aprendizaje en contextos de vulnerabilidad social

“…Desde esta perspectiva, la escuela debiese ser un espacio donde los niños construyan aprendizajes académicos y socioemocionales y aprendan a convivir de manera democrática, convirtiéndose en los protagonistas de sociedades más justas y participativas (López, 2014). En estudiantes resilientes provenientes de situaciones de vulnerabilidad el factor protector de la escuela que genera un buen clima escolar es estructural para apoyar un exitoso rendimiento académico (Dearden, 2004).…”

Tag Clouds: Visual Representations of the Experiences and Needs of Children and Young People in Care

“…While for many, this time was characterised by anxiety and loneliness, a number of young people who spoke about these personal strengths appeared to cope much better with the transition (Cashmore, 2003;Cashmore & Paxman, 1996;Maunders, et al, 1999;Mendes, et al, 2011;Owen, 1996). This important fact is gaining currency in the out-of-home care literature as numerous authors have begun to discuss the importance of such personal characteristics in relation to resiliency (Atwool, 2006;Bauman, 2002;Daining & DePanfilis, 2007;Dearden, 2004;Dent & Cameron, 2003;Gilligan, 1999;Hass & Graydon, 2009;Hines, Merdinger, & Wyatt, 2005).…”