The international literature defines care leavers as young people who, after coming of age, leave residential care, such as those facing the difficult transition from a protective environment to autonomy. The importance of ... [ view full abstract ]
The international literature defines care leavers as young people who, after coming of age, leave residential care, such as those facing the difficult transition from a protective environment to autonomy. The importance of support policy and practice for care leavers is testified to by a number of comparative international studies on the subject (Stein, Munro 2008; Dixon 2008). International research also explores which factors in young people's experience of care tend to be protective or create risks for a successful transition (Dixon J., Wade J., Byford S., Weatherly H., Lee J., 2006; M.Stein M., 2012).
The research project “Crossing the bridge: evaluation analysis and interpretation tools of social inclusion projects” fits in with this theoretical framework. Initiated in 2010 and concluded in 2012, it was co-financed by the ‘PO Sardegna FSE 2007-2013’ and the Regional Law 7/2007: “Promotion of scientific research and technological innovation in Sardinia”. A follow-up study was carried out in 2014.
Sardinia is the only Italian region with specific regulations concerning young people leaving care in the form of law, no. 4, art.17 2006 “Experimental programme to promote social inclusion projects for care leavers”. Such regulations allow for special care and individual education projects for care leavers up to 3 years after their departure from residential care.
Anchored in Grounded Theory, an in depth qualitative analysis was conducted in the initial project mentioned, starting from the following objectives:
1. to highlight the stakeholders’ (care leavers', social and educational workers' and residential carers') perspectives and life experiences;
2. to identify protective factors contributing to the promotion of resilience in care leavers as well as potential negative factors;
3. to investigate strengths and weaknesses of current regulations so as to enhance the use of resources and their effectiveness.
Research methods involved a narrative semi-structured interview conducted with 65 interviewees (23 care leavers, 19 tutors, 14 social workers, 9 residential care staff) including records, transcripts and analyses, and codification of data according to theme (groups and sub-groups) and categories.
The follow-up study carried out in 2014 involved the same subjects sample.
Research has highlighted the following protective factors that contribute to increased resilience in care leavers: preparation and gradual departure from residential care; financial support; shared and coherent planning; education and training, employment prospects; relational network and continuity, sense of belonging; intermediary assessment; educational support; personal self-esteem and awareness (Pandolfi L., 2015).
Data collected suggest the need for further and in-depth analysis of the quality of the activities and practices implemented to support young people in residential care in becoming autonomous.
Our current research developments are focused on the following objectives:
- individuation of a quality standards system and guidelines concerning the work of residential care to develop resilience and autonomy in young people based on recognition and documentation of experiences, good practices, problems and resources in residential care service;
- design, validation and testing of innovative processes of self-evaluation, evaluation and improvement of the quality and effectiveness of educational interventions in a significant sample of residential care provisions;
- listening to young people in residential care and care leavers, in order to learn their views and feelings and to promote their rights to provision and ensure their participation;
- implementation of innovative tools for day to day work in residential child and youth care.
