Preparing for independent adult life

28 May 2012

Young people living away from home in boarding schools or residential colleges have similar concerns to care leavers when it comes to preparing for independent life as adults. That’s the view of Children’s Rights Director for England Dr Roger Morgan, set out in a recent report.

Learning Independence compared the views of young people leaving care with those leaving residential education, and found that, whichever setting they were leaving, young people were anxious about how they would cope when they lost the security, structure and support that they had been used to. Although many had learned everyday domestic skills, young people, particularly those leaving care, said they needed more training in practicalities like cooking, washing and cleaning.

The issue of ‘trust’ in the wider community was a big issue for young people in both settings, albeit from considerably different viewpoints: boarders had trusted almost everyone in their accommodation, while care leavers said their experience meant they didn’t trust anyone.

The main worry for all boarders was money. This included concerns about student debt when at university, being able to find work and how to budget and pay for daily essentials and bills. Some boarders thought that their experience was too sheltered, and schools and colleges should give them more information about current affairs in the wider world.

Care leavers (whose views were also outlined in a recent report After Care) shared some of these views. However, they were concerned about prejudice from others against those from care and felt more unprepared emotionally for loneliness after care. They also said they needed someone they could readily call on for help and advice once they are on their own.

Two young people who took part in the survey concluded that: ‘There are fewer rules but you have more responsibility’ and ‘No one can ever prepare you for having to manage on your own’.

Dr Morgan said, ‘For those leaving care, boarding school or residential college, future independent adult life is a daunting unknown: some worry about it, some fear it, others welcome it. Although there are areas of common view and some major contrasts between those leaving care and those leaving residential education, they deserve careful consideration by all those involved.’

The reports Learning Independence and After care (published in March 2012) are available on the Ofsted website

Associated resources

Connect to Ofsted

twitter youtube subscribe

More like this

Preparing for independent adult life

Associated resources

Connect to Ofsted

Annual Report 2011/12