Review of Policy and Practice for Youth Leaving Care
This research aims to provide more information on policies and programs that support youth moving from child protection into adulthood. Many studies show that young people struggle after they leave care, facing challenges such as low education levels, unemployment, homelessness, involvement in the justice system, early parenthood, poor health, and loneliness. These issues appear consistently across different countries, policies, and research methods. The study suggests that these poor outcomes result from policies that, while well-intentioned, are not based on strong evidence. Without proper evaluation, it is unclear if current programs truly help youth succeed. To improve outcomes, a shift toward evidence-based policies is needed. This research relies on academic studies rather than personal stories or weak data. It first reviews existing research on youth leaving care and then offers recommendations to improve policies and support systems, ensuring better opportunities for young people transitioning out of child protection.