People leaving State care lack life skills

A YEAR after leaving State care, fewer than half of young people surveyed had sufficient skills to live independently, according to a report that looked at people who must leave care at the age of 18.

A summary of the findings of the Outcomes for Young People Leaving Care in North Dublin study was presented to Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald yesterday.

Carried out by the Irish Association of Young People in Care, it draws on data gathered in two rounds with 65 people preparing to leave care in north Dublin.

The data was gathered in May-June 2010 (R1) and again in December 2010-January 2011 (R2).

Just 54 per cent had contact at least once a week with one birth family member at R1 and this fell to 46 per cent at R2.

The majority agreed to receive aftercare service – 75 per cent (49) at R1 and 69 per cent (45) at R2. Over time the young people’s contact with aftercare decreased.

“The number of young people who were deemed to have the appropriate skills to live independently increased from 28 per cent (18) at R1 to 45 per cent (29) at R2.

“While practical skills were rated well, areas where young people needed to improve or to learn included paying rent regularly, managing a budget and dealing with government agencies.”

At R1, 31 per cent (20) of the young people had mental health issues, including depression, suicidal behaviour and anger management. This increased to 39 per cent (25) by R2.

The majority, 94 per cent (61), had been born in Ireland and 51 per cent (33) had spent their last placement in foster care, 28 per cent (18) had been in residential care, 9 per cent (6) in supported lodgings, while 11 per cent (7) were in “other” accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts.

Among the key messages from the report are that achieving stability in a young person’s care placements helps promote more positive outcomes upon leaving care, as does access to quality aftercare supports.