“I wasn’t Enrolled”: Exploring the Educational Narratives of Black Caribbean Youth Navigating Out-of-Home Care in Ontario’s Child Welfare System

Abstract

The educational system is the leading referral source for Black families involved in Ontario’s child system. Across both the education and child welfare systems, Black youth face disparities and numerous challenges such as instability, isolation, and difficulty navigating relationships with peers and staff. Though it is established that Black youth experience challenging circumstances and poor outcomes across both these systems, there remains a gap in Canadian research examining how these impacts interlock and shape the educational experiences of Black youth in out-of-home care (OOHC). Employing Anti-Black Racism Theory, this study examines the educational narratives of Black Caribbean youth navigating Ontario’s child welfare system. Utilizing a narrative approach, this study analyzes 27 interviews with Black Caribbean youth. Three main narratives were identified: (1) child maltreatment allegations and apprehensions; (2) educational absenteeism and its consequences; and (3) poor relationships with teachers and classmates. These narratives illuminate how anti-Black racism shapes the experiences of Black Caribbean youth navigating child protection and educational systems. We offer a series of policy, practice, and research recommendations for both child welfare and education workers to provide more comprehensive supports for Black Caribbean youth in OOHC while they are attending school. These recommendations include: (1) training educators on child maltreatment referrals; (2) informing Black youth about their rights and available resources; and (3) clarifying and streamlining school enrollment procedures for youth in OOHC.