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BJSW Advance Access originally published online on October 27, 2006
British Journal of Social Work 2008 38(1):39-54; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcl342
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

The Ties that Bind: Support from Birth Families and Substitute Families for Young People Leaving Care

Jim Wade

Jim Wade is a Senior Research Fellow in the Social Work Research and Development Unit, University of York. Jim Wade’s research interests centre on social work services for vulnerable groups of children and young people, including those looked after and leaving care, refugee children, young runaways and street children.

Correspondence to Mr Jim Wade, B Block, Alcuin College, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK. E-mail: jw35{at}york.ac.uk


  Abstract

This paper draws on findings from a study of outcomes for young people leaving care funded by the Department for Education and Skills. It explores the informal support networks available to a sample of 106 young people over a period of 12–15 months after leaving care. It examines patterns of contact with birth families and caregivers, the support that emanated from these links and the strategies of leaving care professionals to strengthen these connections. It also considers the new families created by many young people through relationships with partners and the onset of parenthood and discusses the continuing support needs of young parents. The paper situates the needs and experiences of care leavers in a wider youth transitions framework and highlights the need for continuing professional attention to be given to strengthening family links as one strategy for helping care leavers to negotiate the transition to adulthood.

Keywords: leaving care, family support, teenage parenthood, family formation


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