Successful outcomes or psychological losses? Young people's experiences of leaving residential care

Abstract

Outcome-based evaluations of the transition from residential care settings to independent living tend to point to successful transitions. The present study was based on semi-structured interviews with eight participants who had left residential care. The participants' perceptions of the transition and the experience of independent living were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four themes emerged: leaving quickly, losing support, alternative support, and psychological ill-health. Although participants could be judged to have had a successful outcome based on traditional criteria, independent living entailed ongoing problems such as the need to find support and maintain psychological well-being.