For many children in care, approaching adulthood and leaving the care system is a time of extra challenges, anxiety and fear. This research looks at the planning and preparation that happens before leaving care.
The researchers conducted an online survey of children in care (aged 16 to 17) and care leavers (no age limit) to explore whether the help they got when getting ready to leave care was what they needed, and how involved they were in the decisions made about their future. They also held interviews with a small number of people who left care a longer time ago, to get a view of what the impact of preparation (or lack of) has been on their lives after leaving care.
The report's findings reflect what care leavers told the authors about their experiences through the survey and interviews. As people do not always recognise or accurately remember the help they get, this research could only report on care leavers’ perceptions of the preparation they received. Findings are not necessarily representative of all care leavers’ experiences.
