UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Leaving foster or residential care: a participatory study of care leavers' experiences of health and social care transitions

Liabo, K; McKenna, C; Ingold, A; Roberts, H; (2016) Leaving foster or residential care: a participatory study of care leavers' experiences of health and social care transitions. Child: Care, Health and Development , 43 (2) pp. 182-191. 10.1111/cch.12426. Green open access

[thumbnail of Roberts_Main findings paper CCHD 2016 accepted before proofs_citation.pdf]
Preview
Text
Roberts_Main findings paper CCHD 2016 accepted before proofs_citation.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (625kB) | Preview

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Young people in residential or foster care experience multiple transitions around their 18(th) birthday without the long term and consistent support from their family of origin that most of their peers can expect. We report a mixed methods qualitative study of transitions across health and social care services for children leaving care, providing narratives of what young people described as positive, and what they and professionals think might be improved. METHODS: Data were collected in participatory meetings and individual interviews between young people and researchers (n = 24) and individual interviews with practitioners (n = 11). In addition to discussion and interview techniques, we used pictorial and other participatory methods. Interviews were coded by three members of the team and differences resolved with a fourth. Our analysis draws on thematic and framework approaches. RESULTS: Health was rarely at the top of any young person's agenda, although gaps in health care and exceptional care were both described. Housing, financial support and education took priority. Young people and professionals alike emphasized the importance of workers prepared to go the extra mile; of young people being able to contact professionals; and professionals being able to contact one another. CONCLUSIONS: Policy and practice aspirations for care leavers recommend gradual change but transfer rather than transition continues to be described by care leavers. Our data support the need for transition as a long-term process, with children and young people having early opportunities to prepare for citizenship.

Type: Article
Title: Leaving foster or residential care: a participatory study of care leavers' experiences of health and social care transitions
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/cch.12426
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cch.12426
Language: English
Additional information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Liabo, K; McKenna, C; Ingold, A; Roberts, H; (2016) Leaving foster or residential care: a participatory study of care leavers' experiences of health and social care transitions, Child: Care, Health and Development, which has been published in final form at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cch.12426. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving (http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-828039.html#terms).
Keywords: adolescence, care coordination, looked-after children, multidisciplinary, transition
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1530971
Downloads since deposit
0Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item