The transition to adulthood and independent living is a challenging time for many young people. Thankfully, most have their families to fall back on when life doesn’t go exactly to plan. Young people who have grown up in public care usually don’t have that luxury. And too often state support is removed, or cut back when a young person turns 18. The consequences can be devastating not only for the young people involved but for society as a whole.
The availability of ‘aftercare’ - state support for young people who have left care - varies between and within European countries in terms of availability and quality. The COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures have only accentuated the challenges these young people face.