1st Edition
Transitions From Care to Independence: Supporting Young People Leaving State Care to Fulfil Their Potential
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Tables of Legislation/Statutory Instruments/International Instruments
Table of Cases
Table of Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
The Care Leavers’ Educational Transitions Study
Theoretical Perspectives
The Structure of the Book
Chapter 2: Alternative Care: The Systems
The Politics of Care: Social Context, Social Policy and Social Care
Alternative Care Regimes: The International Picture
Transitions to Adulthood
A Children’s Rights Approach to Leaving Care
Conclusion
Chapter 3: The Characteristics & Experiences of Children in State Care
Diversity in Vulnerability
Using Insights from Attachment Theory to Understand the Experiences and Needs of Children in Care
The Personal Histories of the Young Participants to the Empirical Study
Placement Stability
In the Care of Strangers: Young People’s Experiences of Care
The Interdependence of Care and Education
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Children of the State: Corporate Parenting in Principle and Practice
Introduction
Being in Care
Self-reliance, Risk and Resilience
Combining Insights from the Theoretical Perspectives
Chapter 5: Education, Care and Life Chances
The Importance of Education: from the Personal to the Global
The Educational Attainment of Children in State Care
Outcomes for Care Leavers
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Closing the Gap: Improving the Educational Outcomes of Care Leavers
Introduction
Initiatives to Support the Education of Children In and Leaving Care
Supporting Children in School: Findings from the CLET Study
Supporting Young People’s Post-16 Pathways
Conclusion
Chapter 7: From Care to Independence: Negotiating Multiple Transitions
Introduction
The Polarized Trajectories of Young People
Transitions in Multiple Domains of Young People’s Lives
Assessing Young People’s Resilient Adaptation
Leaving Care
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Reconceptualising the State’s Duties Towards the Children in its Care
Introduction
Using Insights from Foundational Rights to Evaluate Young People’s Care Outcomes
Corporate Parenting and the "Deserving"-"Undeserving" Schism
Corporate Parenting and Individual Children
Corporate Parenting and Education
A Holistic Approach: the Social Pedagogy Model
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Introduction
The Key Findings of the CLET Study
Theorising Care Leavers’ Transitions
Conclusion
Appendix 1
References
Index
Biography
Jennifer Driscoll practised as a Family Law barrister for over a decade, specialising in child protection, before moving to King’s in 2005, where she is Programme Director for the MA Child Studies and MA International Child Studies. Her academic interests cover the protection and rights of vulnerable children, in particular child protection systems; the education of children and young people in and leaving state care; ethical issues arising from research with vulnerable children and young people; and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Jenny is a member of the Board of Trustees of the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (BASPCAN).
'This book makes and important and original contribution to our knowledge of young people's transitions from care to adulthood. Drawing on a new qualitative study of educational pathways, the author interrogates international literature, research and theoretical perspectives, proposing 'a rights perspective' for understanding the conditions required for care leavers to exercise full autonomy.' - Professor Mike Stein, University of York
