Labour Market Integration of Youngsters Leaving Foster Care Centers: The Romanian Case

The study addresses to labor market integration moment of youngsters leaving foster care centers. The study data are the result of a qualitative research conducted in 2014. The research had as a target group experts and... [ view full abstract ]

The study addresses to labor market integration moment of youngsters leaving foster care centers. The study data are the result of a qualitative research conducted in 2014. The research had as a target group experts and specialists whose work interferes with youth from placement centers or youth over 17 years old who have experienced foster homes. Following a brief overview of the social protection system, particularly the one of residential type in Romania, this study focuses on the issues that may occur in the labor market integration of youth; professional supply of young people, the mediation and employment available services (both public and private sector) as well as the demand that these youth come into contact. Against the backdrop of a severe trauma as a result of temporary or permanent separation from their biological family; at the end of an irregular period of education and training, youth relate in different ways to the labor market. Thus, there are several sub-groups of young people with different socio-economical trajectories.
The research identified an overprotection approach of children's rights as long as they are under the protection measure, a protection that doesn’t appear in further relationships. After the age of 18, often the first contact with the labor market takes even less than a month. From that moment, the preparation for socio-economical integration follows new rules and takes more several years until the young (re)defines his relationship with society and labor market.
Nowadays, the social protection systems, including the one dedicated to young people are faced with challenges coming from economical trends, from labor market and from social dynamics they generate. Successful initiatives in youth employment as well as the main findings of this research will underline a possible solution for youth protection policy in front of this challenge.