Introduction and overview
This review seeks to identify and summarise findings from literature about the nature of relationships that develop between older children and young people, and those caring for them within and beyond residential and fostering settings. We make particular efforts to include studies that gather the views of young people themselves. We consider the issues and challenges that young people face in moving on from care, the type of support they receive during this process, and focus on the relational elements of this support. The study as a whole focuses on young people in adolescence as they approach the point where they will leave care and undertake the transition towards more independent living.
The review will briefly outline the background and policy context, before discussing some of the key themes found in the literature.
- Part 1 explores the issues facing young people leaving care and the need for more targeted, specialist support.
- Part 2 discusses the importance of relationships for young people leaving care and the growing interest in relationship-based practice.
- Part 3 explores various aspects of relationships valued by care leavers.
- Part 4 looks at relationships in different types of care settings.
