Stability works for young people in care system, report finds

One-in-five young people surveyed for a study into leaving the care system had experienced a period of homelessness in the 21 months after turning 18.

The report, carried out by EPIC (Empowering People in Care), looked at the circumstances of 65 young people who availed of aftercare in north Dublin.

EPIC director Jennifer Gargan said the outcomes could have been worse had the young people not been in aftercare.

The report found that the young person’s care history had a marked effect on their prospects once they turned 18.

For example, a longer- term, stable, foster care placement increased the likelihood of a positive outcome than multiple placements involving foster and residential care.

However, issues still emerged despite the availability of aftercare services.

One of the main findings was that in the 21 months after turning 18, some 20% of those surveyed had experienced some level of homelessness.

Many had made frequent moves and few were in a family environment.

The report is based on a survey of aftercare workers about the circumstances of 65 young people, in-depth interviews with eight young people, and with eight aftercare workers.

The 65 young people were based in north Dublin and the research found that 14% had experienced five or more different placements while they were in care.

One-third of the young people had been in both foster care and residential care, while they were also almost twice as likely to have had their final placement in foster care compared to residential care.

The young people were surveyed over two rounds and by the second round almost one-in-five young people either had a dependent child or were expecting a child.

Rates of smoking and alcohol use increased over time, while drug use remained static at around 35% of young people surveyed.

Just over one-third of the young people in the study had completed their Leaving Certificate, and a growing number disengaged from the aftercare service.

Concerns were also voiced about the aftercare supports available: some said there was a lower level of support available than had been the case when they were in care, while others said aftercare workers were not accessible outside office hours.

Jennifer Gargan said: “We do know that these 65 young people were in receipt of aftercare in north Dublin, which is one of the best areas in which to receive aftercare, and yet these were the findings from that region. “What happens when some people do not have aftercare support?”

She said the report also showed that “stability works”.

The Government has already committed to reviewing aftercare policies.

* The report is available on www.epiconline.ie