A study examined the transition to adulthood for adopted young people through secondary analyses of an existing longitudinal dataset.
Source: Dinithi Wijedasa and Julie Selwyn, Transition to Adulthood for Young People in Adoptive Care: Secondary analyses of data from the longitudinal study of young people in England (LSYPE), Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies (University of Bristol)
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Dec
Research for the consumer rights watchdog examined what happened when young people leaving care in England accessed public services (such as healthcare, housing, or employment support) for the first time. Many young care leavers lacked awareness of how to access services, and the confidence to ask for help. Common customer service failures also presented major obstacles.
Source: Rachel Lopata, Care Leavers and Public Services Peer Research, Consumer Focus
Links: Report | Summary | Consumer Focus press release | Catch22 press release
Date: 2011-Nov
The children's rights watchdog in Wales highlighted the 'inconsistent support' and lack of accurate information available to vulnerable young people in care as they started planning for their move into independent living.
Source: Lost After Care, Children's Commissioner for Wales
Links: Report | CCW press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Jul
Researchers evaluated a pilot based on the principles that: young people should not be expected to leave care until they reached the age of 18; they should have a greater say in the decision-making process preceding their exit from care; and they should be properly prepared for living independently. A higher proportion of those in the pilot authorities were looked after until they reached legal adulthood compared with those from comparator authorities.
Source: Emily Munro, Clare Lushey, Harriet Ward, and National Care Advisory Service with others, Evaluation of the Right2BCared4 Pilots: Final Report, Research Report RR106, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | Peer Research Summary
Date: 2011-May
The consumer rights watchdog in Wales examined the extent and nature of financial exclusion experienced by young people leaving care in Wales. It highlighted the 'challenging' experiences many young people faced as a consequence of living on a low income, being ill-equipped to deal with their financial situation, and being denied access to basic financial products.
Source: From Care to Where? How young people cope financially after care, Consumer Focus Wales
Links: Report | Consumer Focus press release
Date: 2011-Mar