The Importance Of Leaving Care

For the seventh consecutive year, 2015 saw another increase in the number of children entering the care system, with a figure of 69,540 (Harker & Zayed, 2015). With this increase, thought can be directed to the journeys of these individuals, and their experiences leaving care.
It makes sense to firstly think about what the term, looked after, commonly referred to being in care, essentially means, whilst then considering the reasons why children are removed from their home. The Children Act 1989, introduced the expression, for when children are subject to care orders, and/or are accommodated by local authorities; parental responsibility will either be shared with the parents, or obtained fully by the local authority, depending on the nature
Those in and/or leaving care, are considered vulnerable members of society, who have already faced a number of challenges in their life which consequently, has resulted in them being placed into care initially (Stein & Carey, 1986).
When a young person is leaving care, support is equally important as to when they initially entered. The most relevant legislation guiding social work practice and informing the duties expected of them, is the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, and therefore essential to have an understanding of (Robson & Roberts, 2005). This sets out how care leavers should be supported, and ensuring people are ready before they leave is the central principle, reinforced through this act; requiring high priority consideration, when working with young people in this transition (Brammer, 2007). Other duties include, the right to assessment, and meeting the needs identified, which are embodied within pathway plans; an intensive document aiming to holistically represent a care leaver’s situation, and provide details about their next steps forward after leaving care (Jackson, 2013). Whilst this assists care leavers in referring to information
Promoting respect and empathy provides reassurance to care leavers that their voice is valued, and lubricates the opportunity to guide thinking about their future with regards to the different possible avenues available after leaving care (Sayer, 2008). Fewster (1990) describes separation from the home, friends and staff, which in reality, has acted as a young person’s family, to be difficult, causing the re-evaluation of relationships and who they can now rely on and trust. Therefore, the existence of support networks is key in transitions, and this is where the relevance of social work is at its peak (Pole et al., 2005). In McLeod’s (2008), qualitative research paper, he confirms that those in care believe a positive continual relationship with social workers is beneficial to their wellbeing, and future.
Despite good intentions within legislation, Krebs and Pitcoff (2006) state not enough is being done to support care leavers, and this provides insight into the original question, that governmental support does not always mirror good outcomes, and experiences of care leavers. This creates the need for social workers to fulfil an assisting role, promoting much empowerment and personalisation, to positively influence the inclusion of young people thinking holistically about their options, and embrace