Who Cares for those leaving care? Care-leaver experiences during COVID-19 and lockdown
Presented by Rachael Vaughan, Dr Alyson Rees and Dr Louise Roberts.
This webinar shares findings of research undertaken with care leavers about their experiences during COVID-19 and lockdown. The research emerges from a recent study exploring the experiences of young people who were in the process of leaving care in England and Wales during lockdown. The webinar includes contributions by care-experienced young people from Voices From Care Cymru.
The study was comprised of qualitative interviews with 21 young people and included creative outputs of art and poem-making. In addition, a survey was undertaken of local authority departments about their own support mechanisms.
Findings indicate varied experiences for young people; some felt isolated and uncared about during lockdown, with opportunities for support diminished and inadequate. Yet for others, the challenges of the pandemic had been eased by relationships with key individuals and a variety of local initiatives. Young people’s resilience is noteworthy, and the findings and recommendations are proposed to enhance support responses in the event of a subsequent lockdown, as well as when restrictions are fully lifted.
