Care Leavers’ Transitions to Adulthood in the Context of COVID-19: Understanding Pathways, Experiences and Outcomes to Improve Policy and Practice

Emily R. Munro, Seana Friel, Claire Baker, Amy Lynch, Kirsche Walker, Jane Williams, Erica Cook, Angel Chater

Every year around 13,000 sixteen to eighteen-year olds in England leave their foster homes or residential care and negotiate the transition to adulthood. They are expected to navigate a number of changes in their lives (setting up home, managing day to day living and their finances and maintaining education, employment or training) at a much younger age than their peers in the general population and without the levels of practical, emotional and financial support that families typically offer their children.

The Care Leavers, COVID-19 and Transition from Care (CCTC) study explored how COVID-19 impacted on care leavers’ lives and their pathways out of care; examining where young people went, what services and support they received, and how young people got on.

Care Leavers’ Transitions to Adulthood in the Context of COVID-19: Understanding Pathways, Experiences and Outcomes to Improve Policy and Practice