Students, care takers and decision makers perception of higher education for students with in-care experience

Good academic achievements of youth with in-care experience are connected with better personal outcomes and wellbeing, recognized and described as a protective factor that supports social inclusion by social workers,... [ view full abstract ]

Good academic achievements of youth with in-care experience are connected with better personal outcomes and wellbeing, recognized and described as a protective factor that supports social inclusion by social workers, educators, policy makers, mainly adults. Students with in-care experiences have common adult life-starting difficulties as other students and some more specific difficulties - facing financial and accommodation difficulties, have to study harder to overcome previous educational shortcomings, identity issues and support issues, relying on themselves alone.
Presented study aimed to explore educational issues based on three perspectives: of students with in-care experiences, care takers and decision makers. In the research project “Challenges of study and support for students with in-care experience” funded by University of Zagreb qualitative research has been undertaken: 6 focus group discussions with students with in-care experience, 11 interviews with care takers from children homes, focus group discussion with experts that deals with in-care youth issues. Results show some similarities in the perspective of students, experts and care takers regarding stigmatization and reasons for higher education, while differences in their perspectives are connected with everyday living difficulties and support.