Abstract
In the current qualitative study we explored care leavers’ perceptions of the influence of their out-of-home placement experiences in shaping their lives during the transition to adulthood. Forty-seven care leavers aged 18 to 29, who had been in residential care facilities or foster care, participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed two major themes – (1) participants’ perception of care as an environment that fostered self-improvement and the development of skills including interpersonal skills, and (2) care as a place of belonging and regaining of trust and self-worth – and five sub-themes. In the discussion we address the role of out-of-home placements in relation to life course theory and the developmental tasks of emerging adulthood. Implications for practice include the importance of engaging youth who are in care with future-oriented activities that enhance their readiness for young adulthood.
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