Experiences of Young People Leaving Care

This book documents the experiences of young people leaving public care in Romania. A psycho-social approach to the subject has been chosen to capture the complexity of the leaving and after care process including perspectives of both young people as service users and professionals as service providers. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used for its potential to give voice and make sense of young people s lived experiences and bring an in-depth understanding of leaving care. Using this specific country example, the book aims to contribute to present understandings of the psycho-social transition of young people from care to independent living. It adapts of Bridges model of transition (2002) to the leaving and after care experience. Messages for leaving and after care services arising from the research emphasize the complex interaction between practical, social and psychological dimensions of leaving care.

Autorentext

Gabriela Dima is a psychologist - psychotherapist with experience and expertise in the social work field. She received her PhD from Queen's University Belfast, School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work. Currently she is a collaborator lecturer of Transilvania University Brasov and president of the SCUT Association of Social Services.