YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES OF HOW MANAGED OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENCE CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING RESILIENCE AND PREPARATION FOR LEAVING CARE

Abstract

Young people growing up in residential care often transition to independent young adulthood without adequate preparation, which increases their vulnerability to poor outcomes. Recognition that some care-leavers achieve better-than-expected outcomes has raised interest in care-leavers’ resilience processes. However, research on how their resilience is built in care is limited. Similarly, there remains a research gap on the preparation for leaving care practices from the perspective of young people in care. This article explores the contribution of managed opportunities for independence to building young people’s resilience and preparing them for life after care. Eleven young people were purposively sampled from child and youth care centres in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative, explorative approach, informed by a grounded theory design. Semi-structured interviews were analysed following a constructivist grounded theory method. Findings reveal that managed opportunities for independence contribute positively towards the preparation for leaving care through the acquisition of independent living skills, mentally preparing individuals to leave care and building their resilience. Young people’s perceptions of related risks and gaps are also explored. The study concludes that strengthening practices in preparation for leaving care, such as managed opportunities for independence, is crucial for building resilience and improving leaving care outcomes.