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Information on care leavers and their situations is very
limited. In an effort to close this informational gap and provide a
foundation for decision makers, SOS Children’s Villages has put together
an unprecedented review of the circumstances under which young people
leave alternative care in Europe and Central Asia.
The report is the main publication of the I Matter campaign, and
highlights personal, social, legal, and administrative challenges facing
care leavers. It also identifies weaknesses in legislation and
practice, and provides targeted recommendations.
The report consists of 13 country reviews, from Albania,
Azerbaijan, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, the Czech
Republic, Estonia,
France, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Poland,
the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan.
It also includes first hand accounts from young people, and a conclusion
written by Mike Stein, renowned research professor in the field of
leaving care.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the study reveals that in the countries
under review, the process of preparation to leave care and the subsequent
transition into adulthood is chronically flawed. Recurring themes
emerge across national boundaries, such as difficulties to find housing,
gaps in coverage, risk of abuse, and emotional hardships of young
people. These findings highlight the importance of
deinstitutionalization efforts, national standards, and the dissemination
of good practice.
It is clear, from the evidence in the report, that young care leavers
in Europe and Central Asia today face often
insurmountable problems. Even though a few European countries have
initiated measures to improve the situation for these young people ageing
out of care, further action is urgently required.
Download full document or individual country reviews (PDF)
Ageing out of care - full document
Executive Summary
Albania
Azerbaijan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech
Republic
Estonia
France
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan
Poland
Russian
Federation
Uzbekistan
Conclusion by Mike Stein
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