The social inclusion of care leavers during their transitioning to independent life from aftercare services - A mixed method, retrospective document analysis

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the social inclusion of care leavers and factors related to it.

Design and methods: A mixed method retrospective document analysis. The data were collected from three electronic registers of Finnish care leavers (N = 698). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and deductive-inductive content analysis.

Results: Half of the care leavers had normal relationships with their family and friends. Half of them also had functioning social interactions. Problems in them included harmful relationships, difficulties in emotional expression, isolation, impulsivity, drifting into social conflicts and aggressive, asocial, and threatening behavior. Most care leavers had completed at least one education and over half were in ongoing education. Every tenth was working or completing their army or civil service. One third exercised regularly and a quarter had other hobbies. Over half of the care leavers had problems in their daily rhythm. The identification of the resources and weakening factors of care leavers were quite rare. Normal relationships, studying and better health and well-being were related to more resources and fewer weakening factors of social inclusion.

Conclusions: The study produced new knowledge in that it provides a versatile and wide overview of the social inclusion of care leavers.

Practice implications: Aftercare services should pay attention to care leavers' interpersonal relationships, problems in education, leisure activities, daily rhythm and health and well-being. The holistic, resource-oriented approach with appreciating care leavers' interdependence during transition and own will is important in supporting their social inclusion.