Relationships and Identity: An Ethnographic Study With Young People in South-East Queensland Who Had Left Out-Of-Home Care

Abstract

Young people who transition to adulthood while transitioning from out-of-home care, like their peers not in care may face several challenges in early adulthood. These include, high housing costs, fixed (often low) incomes, limited access to jobs and further education, developing and consolidating personal relationships and pressures from family. This paper presents data from a PhD study using ethnography, life course theory and qualitative interviewing over 10 months in the field. The focus was on the transition from out-of-home care for young people aged 18 to 23 years. Young people discussed study, jobs, housing and mental health support. They experienced a range of family relationships both supportive and disruptive. This paper focuses on two key findings from the study: (1) Relationships, especially those with family members, carers and services are critical for young people to be supported and obtain resources; and (2) Leaving care represents a fundamental break in identity. These findings offer learnings for extended care programs. Delaying the transition from care up to age 21 years is a welcome reform, allowing time to support young people to (re)establish safe family relationships as adults and consolidate who they are becoming, now they are no longer a ‘kid in care’.