PROBLEMS FOR CHILDREN LEAVING CARE

Problems for Children Leaving Care



Introduction

The process of transition of adults is very complex. In this process, youth who were dependent on their parents during their childhood begin to take definitive steps to attain measures of residential, emotional, and financial independence, and to obtain more grown-up roles as spouse, citizen, worker and parent. (Wilson 2005, 34-67) This type of transition might be a phase of accomplishment and growth, particularly when they have the resources which they need to navigate that process, such as a stable family and community connections that may give monetary assistance and guidance whenever required, and approach to education that offers a ground for life skills, credentials and learning. (Wade 2007, 209-224)

The shift to adulthood takes place in different manners and over a broad range, from the teens to late twenties and beyond, and most of the youngsters go through the transition stage successfully. But, many of them experience obstacles by getting married and becoming parents very soon, by leaving school, unsuccessful to find job, or having troubles with the law system. These kinds of experiences doesn't only make the change process to adulthood much complicated, but also have lasting consequences by compromising youth to provide for them in their adulthood, or by growing the risk that the offspring of that youth would experience the same kind of negative effects. (Thoburn 2007, 90-100)

Law on leaving care (The Children Act)

The Children Act, an act of parliament, said that the local authorities have the following duties:

Prepare the children in care for the time when they would have to leave that place.

Provide support and advice to children who have been in there until they are 21 years old.

Discuss with them and take note of their opinions and views seriously. (Stein 2009, 6-9)

It means that the youth has a right to get prepared for the time of leaving the care, they should be asked what they desire and have a right to participate in the decisions which affect their life, and getting support and guidance until they are 21.

The Children Leaving Care Act

Since many people were not satisfied still that youth who are leaving care were really getting all the support listed under the Act of Children, a new act known as the Children Leaving Care Act was approved by parliament and came into power in October 2001. (Stein 2009, 6-9)

The Act empowers the Children's Act to deal with care of the changed certain things, the duties to what should be done, but not the authority of what can be done, and also added some new responsibilities as well. These include the following: • Personal advisers need to keep in touch with all the young people leaving care to 21 to at least meet with them at least once every 3 months until they are 18 and every 6 months to 21. • From 1916, all young people leaving care should have a personal adviser. The adviser will work with the young person to give ...