This paper examines three interrelated dimensions of social work practice with young people leaving care. First, it identifies observable characteristics of life transitions in this population, including changes in housing, relationships, education, employment, and peer networks, and considers how cultural context, legal constraints, family background, and the risk of delinquency shape those transitions. Second, it critically appraises the concept of identity — for both service user and social worker — and its relevance to culturally sensitive care delivery. Third, it evaluates the psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing human development across the life course, highlighting the particular vulnerabilities faced by young people as they exit care systems.
Characteristics of life transitions observable in young people leaving care vary from person to person and must be understood within a cultural context. The parameters of what constitutes a normative life transition are flexible. The timing of life transitions in young people leaving care depends on individual, family, and community characteristics, including external factors such as the availability of jobs, educational opportunities, and housing options (Ravanera, Rajulton & Burch, 2002). Legal constraints may also shape these characteristics. For example, until an individual is eighteen years of age, he or she does not yet enjoy the full rights and responsibilities associated with adult status.
Leaving home, graduating from school, forming intimate relationships that may or may not involve domestic partnerships, engaging in mentoring or career training programs, and other features of the life transition may all be immediately observable in a young person preparing to leave care. In cases involving young children, transition characteristics will depend firmly on decisions made by primary caregivers.
Changes in social alignment and networking groups may also signal life transitions among young people. Any identifiable characteristics of life transitions that are observable in young people must be understood within a culturally appropriate framework. Within each ethnic or cultural group, norms guiding behavior will also vary according to gender.
Family background and perceived social class have a strong bearing on the life transitions of young people, especially as they leave care. Decisions about whether to enter the workforce or pursue higher education may be shaped by family background as well as personal ambitions and peer group norms. The manner in which a young person forms an identity will shape how the life transition manifests. Some service users become involved in intimate relationships, and their transition from a parental household to a new domestic partnership becomes the defining feature of the life transition.
Those who have been served by social workers for a long period of time due to fragmented family structures will require extensive community support services. Others will make a smoother transition from secondary school to college or the workforce. Whether or not the young person leaves home is a major issue affecting the characteristics of the life transition. Occasionally, the young person leaving care also relocates geographically — either voluntarily or because they are not yet of legal majority and remain under the supervision of caregivers who are themselves relocating.
"Delinquency and drug use as symptoms of transition difficulties"
The implications for social work practice are significant. Social workers need to be aware of the different characteristics of life transitions in young service users terminating treatment. These characteristics may be related to leaving home, starting intimate relationships, forming new peer group alliances, embarking on a career path, or becoming involved in crime. Social workers must situate life transitions firmly within the context of the client's background, including family, community, ethnic identity, and peer group. Sexual orientation and other issues related to client identity may also have an impact on the life transition.
According to the National Association of Social Workers, culturally competent practice requires practitioners to recognize and respond to the full range of individual and contextual factors that shape a client's experience. This principle is especially pertinent when working with young people navigating the transition out of care, as the intersecting influences of race, class, gender, and community make each transition unique.
"Worker and user identity both shape care delivery outcomes"
"Multi-level factors influencing development across the life course"
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