This rapid review from Coram Voice contributes to the understanding of care leavers’ experiences and is also the first stage in a project to develop a survey of care leavers’ subjective well-being, according to young people’s own evaluations of how they feel about their lives. The review explores the research into what care leavers say about their transition from care and informs the development of an online survey. The new care leaver survey will be co-produced with care leavers. It complements an existing suite of ‘Your Life, Your Care’ surveys capturing the ‘subjective well-being’ of looked after children developed by the University of Bristol and Coram Voice as part of the Bright Spots Programme. The survey will be available for local authorities to use in early 2018.
The rapid review captures young people's views on their experience of leaving care, life after care, their relationships, life as a care leaver, responsibilities of early adulthood, and care leavers with additional needs. Care leavers identified that good transitions from care were supported by quality relationships with the people that were important to them, being supported in decisions and help with achieving their aspirations. Looking across the review strongly reinforces the message that effective services must always start with, and continue to champion, the voice of young people.
