The transition to adulthood – the living skills of young people in care

Abstract

The deinstitutionalization of the child care system brought new requirements for social workers when preparing young people to leave care, and new forms of alternative care emerged. However, neither social workers nor those in care were prepared for these changes. The goal of this article is to analyses care leavers’ living skills during the transition to adulthood. The article is based on Master Thesis paper. A qualitative research method using non-probability judgmental sampling was applied. Five social workers that provide leaving care support services were interviewed. Thematic data analysis revealed five subthemes: domestic skills, being part of society, financial planning skills, confidence, and decision-making. Social workers emphasized that for a smooth transition to adulthood, care leavers need to have skills that will help them to achieve good outcomes. These skills include those of a domestic nature: cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, and other abilities will make care leavers feel independent, first of all, from social workers. However, not only domestic living skills are needed; social workers also explain that care leavers need to know how to be part of society without feeling like they do not belong. Care leavers have also been described as needing confidence, decision-making and financial planning skills. Together, these skills make care leavers’ transition to adulthood successful.