young people leaving care: supporting pathways to adulthood

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This article was downloaded by: [The University of Manchester Library] On: 04 December 2014, At: 16:22 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Child Care in Practice Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cccp20 Young People Leaving Care: Supporting Pathways to Adulthood Theresa McShane a a School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Queen's University Belfast 6 College Park, Belfast, BT7 1LP Published online: 16 May 2014. To cite this article: Theresa McShane (2014) Young People Leaving Care: Supporting Pathways to Adulthood, Child Care in Practice, 20:2, 250-251, DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2014.908646 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2014.908646 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms- and-conditions

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This article was downloaded by: [The University of Manchester Library]On: 04 December 2014, At: 16:22Publisher: RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registeredoffice: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Child Care in PracticePublication details, including instructions for authors andsubscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cccp20

Young People Leaving Care: SupportingPathways to AdulthoodTheresa McShanea

a School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work Queen'sUniversity Belfast 6 College Park, Belfast, BT7 1LPPublished online: 16 May 2014.

To cite this article: Theresa McShane (2014) Young People Leaving Care: Supporting Pathways toAdulthood, Child Care in Practice, 20:2, 250-251, DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2014.908646

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2014.908646

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the“Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis,our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as tothe accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinionsand views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors,and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Contentshould not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sourcesof information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims,proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever orhowsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arisingout of the use of the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Anysubstantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing,systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms &Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

Book Review

Young People Leaving Care: Supporting Pathways to AdulthoodMIKE STEINLondon, Jessica Kingsley, 2012200 pp., ISBN 978-1-84905-244-3 (pbk), £25.00

“… it is not surprising that some young people find the journey to adulthood agreat struggle, whilst other young people just survive, or get by, and make it,although the journey will often take a longer time. However, perhaps moresurprising, is that some young people cope with the demands of the journey verywell …” – From the Introduction to the book.

Written by Mike Stein, Research Professor in Social Policy and qualified social workerwith experience in the areas of probation, child care and social services management,this book is an essential read for policy makers, practitioners, academics, social workstudents and anyone else who is interested in the issues affecting young peopleleaving care and how best to support them on the journey to adulthood.

Beginning with an overview of current leaving care law, policy and services, theauthor sets the context for the book, before drawing on relevant research to addressthe title regarding practical life challenges facing young people leaving care. Thebook’s focus, although in an English policy and law context, draws upon aninternational body of research which is of significance to supporting care leavers’pathways to adult life. Matters such as, where they live, realisation of education,training and employment goals, and health and wellbeing are addressed including,importantly, what helps in each of these areas in terms of support. The requirementsof young people needing additional assistance due to disability, young parenthood,ethnic minority or asylum seeking status, and gay, lesbian and transgender identitiesare also addressed. Although the discussion of these minority groups is necessarilylimited due to lack of research in these areas, addressing the multiple identities of careleavers is commendable and encourages further investigation into heterogeneousaspects of the care leaving experience.

The final part of the book is a comprehensive theoretical discussion centring onmatters of social inclusion and resilience helped by grouping care leavers into three(not exclusive) categories: “moving on”; “surviving”; or “struggling”. The book’sadaptation of an ecological perspective on resilience underscores the relationshipbetween the individual and social context and explores how young people, whoovercome adversity, tend to have reserves of certain resources in common including:social networks; meaningful relationships and advocates; opportunities to grow inemotional maturity and general ability; capacity to acknowledge positive as well as

Child Care in Practice, 2014Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 250–251, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13575279.2014.908646

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negative accounts of the difficulties in their lives; and inclination to channel their ownexperiences toward helping others in similar situations.

Although a glossary of acronyms would have been useful for readers unfamiliarwith the area, Stein’s writing style is clear, jargon free and easily accessible. The bookflows well and each chapter is laid out in an uncomplicated manner, addressingrelevant issues systematically and coherently. The tables at the end of each section areparticularly helpful summaries and reminders of the main points. Readers will find ita comprehensive presentation of the issues facing young people leaving care, both forreading in full, and as an excellent referencing source, as information is presentedwell in sub-topics and further supported by a complete subject index.

THERESA MCSHANE

School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social WorkQueen’s University Belfast

6 College Park, Belfast, BT7 [email protected]

© 2014 Theresa McShane

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