Independent living for youths after residential care

Abstract

As a result of the circumstances that have brought them into care, such as family breakdown, young care leavers may be faced with the necessity of establishing a household of their own, single-handed and at an early age. This would be the most extreme circumstance of independent living, yet focusing on such a narrow definition would be too restrictive. To start with, not all youngsters will be faced with this prospect. Some will return to their families or parts of it and some will take up residence with other relatives. Whatever the case, independence of mind and self responsibility, which would be crucial for a person to cope on his or her own, seem to be essential goals for any young care-leaver striving towards maturity and adulthood, regardless of the accommodation arrangements. Moreover, even where accommodation is not a problem, the particular circumstances of care-leavers are likely to make more demands upon the person concerned or make such demands earlier in his or her life. With this in mind, though accommodation problems, which may complicate the issue, will be given due importance, "independent living" is to be conceived in its broader sense. Such a perspective has the advantage of being more comprehensive in itself as well as encompassing all care leavers regardless of their living arrangements. [...]