Abstract
This article reports findings and reflections based on the results of three different research projects conducted between 2008 and 2013 and focusing on the perspective of young care leavers in Spain. The overall aim was to examine these young people’s perceptions and evaluations of how they were treated while in the public care system, mainly residential care. Reviewing these qualitative studies, the most common and relevant issues highlighted by young people were related to the following themes: (a) entering care; (b) stability and emotional bonds in care; (c) education; (d) friends; (e) labelling, stigmatization, rights and opportunities; (f) autonomy and responsibility versus overprotection; (g) contact with parents, siblings and extended family; (h) maltreatment in care; and (i) leaving care. One of the main elements used in their assessments was comparison (i) between their previous situation within their birth family and the quality of care experienced in the residential home; and (ii) between what these young people commonly refer to as “normal children” and children in care. Recommendations deriving from their advice and opinions are also debated.
Highlights
This article reports findings and reflections based on the results of three different research projects conducted between 2008 and 2013 and focusing on the perspective of young care leavers in Spain
These studies had been reviewed focusing on the qualitative part of interviews and focus groups conducted with young people, and on their assessment of the time they spent in residential homes, this being the common denominator that united them
If we listen to young people regarding their passage through the protection system, according to the findings it would be recommended urgent improvements on the following points:
Summary
This article reports findings and reflections based on the results of three different research projects conducted between 2008 and 2013 and focusing on the perspective of young care leavers in Spain. One of the main elements used in their assessments was comparison (i) between their previous situation within their birth family and the quality of care experienced in the residential home; and (ii) between what these young people commonly refer to as “normal children” and children in care. Recommendations deriving from their advice and opinions are debated. Since the introduction of a democratic constitution and its recognition of social rights in 1980, Spain has developed a welfare state for the universal provision of education, health care and pensions [2]. In Spain social actors like non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are gradually replacing the state institutions traditionally responsible for protecting individual rights and needs [6,7]
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