A qualitative study exploring care leavers' transition experiences from care to independency

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to explore care leavers' experiences to independency after being discharged from public care. The study explored the services provided for young adults who have left public care and how they perceived the support provided for them during their transition and after. The study has also an interest on the care leavers' rights according to the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child. A qualitative study approach was used to collect data, due to the focus on the interpretation of the care leavers' experiences and to get in-depth information and descriptions about their experiences and perspectives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants who have left care. Moreover, the findings show that the participants were disadvantaged in many areas during their transition and the support received were limited. From the findings, the care leavers were lacking stability, encouragement and both emotional and adequate practical support after being discharged from care.