Care leavers health experiences during the transition to independence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A phenomenoligical investigation of young adults' health experience during the transition from local authority care to independence
IRAS ID
193563
Contact name
Linda Burgess
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, days
Research summary
Young adults who have previously been accommodated by the local authority until the age of 18 years and are aged 18 – 25 years old will be known for this study as care leavers. The numbers of looked-after children in England has been increasing and the latest figures suggest there are 68,840 (Barnardo’s, 2014). The Children Act Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers (1989) and The Children (Leaving Care) Act, 2000), states planning should include support to help care leavers’ manage their health and well-being in adulthood.
Young adults mental and physical health has an impact on activities of daily living, including maintaining suitable accommodation and employment. It is therefore important to ensure the support offered to Care Leavers is both appropriate and meets legislation so as adults they are able manage their health. The proposed study is an investigation of young adults’ health experiences, during their transition from local authority care to independence to gain an understanding of whether they received support they found helpful. It will explore and analyse these experiences from the perspective of young adults who have recently left local authority care through interviewing face to face, so enabling Care Leavers to tell their story.
The study will be completed by September 2016. Informed consent will be obtained and participants will be able to leave the study at any time without having to give a reason. Although there is no direct benefit to the participants, the findings will be shared with services working with Looked-after Children and Care Leavers to influence practice and policy.
Barnardo’s, 2014, The cost of not caring: supporting English care leavers into independence, Barnardo’s, EnglandChildren (Leaving Care) Act, 2000, London. HMSO - accessed www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/35/contents 22.5.15
The Children Act 1989 Volume 3: Planning Transition to Adulthood for Care Leavers. London HMSO
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0285
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion