Rite of passage for care leavers

Abstract

AbstractThis article draws upon work undertaken individually with young people on the cusp of leaving care, focussing on the final therapy session. This is seen as a rite of passage where Fare Well is both “Goodbye” and a message to accompany them as they leave care. The work uses concepts from narrative therapy, in particular outsider witnessing and “co‐research” and general principles of collaborative therapy. Such approaches are used in combination with theories around the importance and development of attachment in children. I seek to demonstrate how developing therapy as a “Secure base/space” is key to engagement and encouraging change with such young people. After outlining the context of this work, each young person's “Fare Well” is discussed separately. The presence of a reflecting partner and accompanying adult is suggested as a way to assist successful engagement and a possible focus for future research.Practitioner points Those practitioners working where session numbers are limited may need to be creative in ways to offer the pace and longevity of involvement necessary to gain the trust and engagement of young people in care. A consistent adult, chosen by the young person, accompanying them in sessions, enhances engagement and promotes change in the network. The reflecting process provides space for the young person grappling with understanding emotions to untangle and word those feelings.