A multinational comparison of care-leaving policy and legislation

Benjamin Strahl, Adrian Du Plessis Van Breda, Varda Mann-Feder, Wolfgang Schröer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Care-leavers - those transitioning from alternative care towards young adulthood - are widely recognized as a vulnerable population, yet child protection legislation seldom applies to them because they have reached adulthood. Despite this, little internationally comparative research on care-leaving policy and legislation has been conducted. This paper maps multinational policy and legislation and its impact on the services to care-leavers and the challenges they experience. An online survey was conducted with key informants in 36 countries and analysed by a multinational team of care-leaving scholars. Findings reveal that few countries have well-developed care-leaving legislation. Most countries provide little aftercare beyond the age of 18, even when legislation provides for it. Within the context of suboptimal social policy and limited aftercare services, findings also reveal high vulnerability among care-leavers. Recommendations for policy development, global dialogue, further research and advocacy are proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-49
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of International and Comparative Social Policy
Volume37
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Keywords

  • Leaving care
  • emerging adulthood
  • legislation
  • social policy
  • youth transitions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health (social science)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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