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Young people's experience of social support during the process of leaving care: A review of the literature

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  • Hiles, Dominic
  • Moss, Duncan
  • Wright, John
  • Dallos, Rudi

Abstract

This review gathers together and synthesises research relating to young people's experiences of social support during their transition from state care. A systematic approach was used to identify relevant studies published since 2001 and forty-seven were found which met the inclusion criteria. Relevant key themes were identified and consolidated under five overall thematic headings: The influence of past experiences on social support in the present, Supportive relationships during the transition from care, Relationships with birth families, The crucial role of practical support and The lived experience of leaving care. The results were considered using a number of interconnected psychological theories, and implications for policy, practice and future research are discussed with particular reference to the UK policy context.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiles, Dominic & Moss, Duncan & Wright, John & Dallos, Rudi, 2013. "Young people's experience of social support during the process of leaving care: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2059-2071.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:35:y:2013:i:12:p:2059-2071
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.10.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. López López, Mónica & Martínez-Jothar, Gabriela & ten Brummelaar, Mijntje D.C. & Parra, Luis A. & San Román Sobrino, Beatriz & Mallon, Gerald P., 2024. "“They told me that you can be with whomever you want, be who you are”: Perceptions of LGBTQ+ youth in residential care regarding the social support provided by child welfare professionals," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    5. Refaeli, Tehila, 2017. "Narratives of care leavers: What promotes resilience in transitions to independent lives?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1-9.
    6. Melkman, Eran P. & Benbenishty, Rami, 2018. "Social support networks of care leavers: Mediating between childhood adversity and adult functioning," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 176-187.
    7. Sirriyeh, Ala & Ní Raghallaigh, Muireann, 2018. "Foster care, recognition and transitions to adulthood for unaccompanied asylum seeking young people in England and Ireland," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 89-97.
    8. Rutman, Deborah & Hubberstey, Carol, 2016. "Is anybody there? Informal supports accessed and sought by youth from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 21-27.
    9. Goding, Natasha & Hartwell, Brettany & Kreppner, Jana, 2022. "“Everyone has the ability actualy to do well in education. It's just the support mechanisms that you give to them…”: A systematic literature review exploring the educational experiences of children in," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    10. Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit, 2020. "Challenges in the transition to adulthood of young-adult Arabs who graduated from residential facilities in Israel," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    11. Refaeli, Tehila & Benbenishty, Rami & Zeira, Anat, 2019. "Predictors of life satisfaction among care leavers: A mixed-method longitudinal study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 146-155.
    12. Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit, 2020. "Social networks during the transition to adulthood from the perspective of Israeli care leavers and their social workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    13. Harder, Annemiek T. & Mann-Feder, Varda & Oterholm, Inger & Refaeli, Tehila, 2020. "Supporting transitions to adulthood for youth leaving care: Consensus based principles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    14. Federica Gullo & Laura García-Alba & Amaia Bravo & Jorge F. del Valle, 2021. "Crossing Countries and Crossing Ages: The Difficult Transition to Adulthood of Unaccompanied Migrant Care Leavers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    15. Thompson, Allison E. & Greeson, Johanna K.P. & Brunsink, Ashleigh M., 2016. "Natural mentoring among older youth in and aging out of foster care: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 40-50.
    16. Okland, Idun & Oterholm, Inger, 2022. "Strengthening supportive networks for care leavers: A scoping review of social support interventions in child welfare services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    17. Hiles, Dominic & Moss, Duncan & Thorne, Lisa & Wright, John & Dallos, Rudi, 2014. "“So what am I?” — Multiple perspectives on young people's experience of leaving care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-15.
    18. Cameron, Claire & Hollingworth, Katie & Schoon, Ingrid & van Santen, Eric & Schröer, Wolfgang & Ristikari, Tiina & Heino, Tarja & Pekkarinen, Elina, 2018. "Care leavers in early adulthood: How do they fare in Britain, Finland and Germany?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 163-172.
    19. Jill R. McTavish & Christine McKee & Masako Tanaka & Harriet L. MacMillan, 2022. "Child Welfare Reform: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, October.
    20. Itzhaki-Braun, Yael & Sulimani-Aidan, Yafit, 2022. "Determination of life satisfaction among young women care leavers from the Ultraorthodox Jewish community," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    21. Brady, Eavan & Gilligan, Robbie, 2019. "Exploring diversity in the educational pathways of care-experienced adults: Findings from a life course study of education and care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    22. Haddow, Sonal & Taylor, Emily P. & Schwannauer, Matthias, 2021. "Positive peer relationships, coping and resilience in young people in alternative care: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).

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