A while ago, I saw a post on damaged WWII aeroplanes. Somehow, that got connected for me to careleavers and how we need to do better for them. A strange connection, but one that increasingly makes a lot of sense. I’ll tell you why.
Continue reading “What About the Careleavers We Don’t Hear from?”Tag: #careleavers
Careleaver's Perspective
At the IFCO seminar in London, early last month, Billie-Jo McDowell, who is a social worker, an IFCO Youth Member, and someone who has personally experienced being in alternative care, gave a presentation to provide insights from a different perspective. Although everyone involved in setting up and running social and child protection systems does their best to ensure that children’s needs are being met and that their best interest is kept at the centre of their care, in the end they do not have the same understanding of what it is to be in alternative care as someone who has actually experienced it.
Continue reading “Careleaver's Perspective”Supporting Young Adults After Foster Care
After looking at why it is important to continue to provide support of young adults who were in alternative care on their 18th birthday (HERE) two weeks ago. And looking at the kind of aftercare needed by young adults who grew up in institutions (HERE) last week. This week we are going to have a look at the options for young adults who grew up in foster care.
Continue reading “Supporting Young Adults After Foster Care”Supporting Young Adults After Institutionalisation
In last week’s blog, I described how the transition of being cared for as a child to living independently as an adult should happen gradually for young adults, in order to be successful. I also mentioned that unfortunately support for care leavers is often still lacking and young adults are left to fend for themselves once they reach the age of 18.
This week I want to talk about how to support young adults who have grown up in an institution, once they venture out into the world.
Continue reading “Supporting Young Adults After Institutionalisation”Support Can’t End at Age 18
When alternative care is discussed or arranged – no matter whether it is family-based or institutional – in many cases thoughts only reach as far as the child’s 18th birthday. At that point the child is no longer a child, she has become an adult. And so, the obligation to provide care, whether under the law or under Child Rights, disappears into a puff of smoke.
In far too many cases and countries care provisions and support end on that very day. The child is waved off at the door of the institution, or made to move out of her foster family, and is expected to take care of herself now.
Continue reading “Support Can’t End at Age 18”