Affording managed opportunities for independence to build looked-after young people’s resilience: perceptions and experiences of care workers
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-10-2021-0044 |
| Published date | 14 June 2022 |
| Date | 14 June 2022 |
| Pages | 137-151 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Children's services,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Children/youth,Parents,Education,Early childhood education,Home culture,Social/physical development |
| Author | Joyce Hlungwani,Adrian D. van Breda |
Affording managed opportunities for
independence to build looked-after young
people’s resilience: perceptions and
experiences of care workers
Joyce Hlungwani and Adrian D. van Breda
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this study is to explore the contribution of what the authors have termed,
‘‘managedopportunities for independence’’(MOI) in building the resilience of young peoplein care.
Design/methodology/approach –The study used a qualitative, grounded theory methodology. Nine
child and youthcare workers were purposively sampled fromvarious child and youth and care centres in
South Africa.
Findings –Findings indicate that MOI contribute to the development of resilience of young people in
care.
Originality/value –Care-leaving literature recognizes that too much protection does not adequately
prepare young people for independent living. There is also increasing attention to the resilience
processes that enable care-leavers to thrive during the transition from care to independent living.
However, there is limited empirical research that looks at how in-care programmes develop young
people’s resilience. In addition, very little is said about whatit means for child and youth care practice.
This study’s focus on the contribution of ‘‘managed opportunities for independence’’ in building the
resilience of young people in care provides a foundation for understanding the care-leaving process
better.
Keywords Managed opportunities for independence, Child and youth care, Resilience,
Residential care, Care-leaving, Independent living
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The topic of youth transitions is gaining increasing attention globally (Arnett, 2015) and in
South Africa (Mupaku et al.,2021;Van Breda, 2022). While transitioning youth in general
hold interest amongst researchers, those who grow up in alternative care are generally
considered more vulnerable to transitional challenges (Armstrong-Heimsoth et al.,2021;
Bond, 2018b;Van Breda, 2019). Globally, due to various circumstances, a significant
number of young people have grown up in alternativeor out-of-home care (UNICEF, 2021).
In South Africa, young people whogrow up in care are typically discharged from the system
at age 18 (Van Breda et al.,2020). According to Tanur (2012), many South African care-
leavers have no family to return to, but if they do, their families are often too poor to meet
their needs. This is true for many care-leavers across the African continent,who transition to
communities characterised by high levels of poverty, often with insufficient preparation and
transitional support (Van Breda and Dickens, 2016;Mhongera and Lombard, 2016;
Frimpong-Manso, 2018;Tekele and Kotecho, 2020). In such contexts, some degree of
Joyce Hlungwani and
Adrian D. vanBreda are
both based at Department of
Social Work and Community
Development, University of
Johannesburg,
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Received 21 October 2021
Revised 21 January 2022
6 April 2022
Accepted 27 May 2022
©Joyce Hlungwani and
Adrian D. van Breda. Published
by Emerald Publishing Limited.
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derivative works of this article
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Funding declaration: This
research did not receive funding
from funding agencies in the
public or commercial sector.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-10-2021-0044 VOL. 17 NO. 2 2022, pp. 137-151, Emerald Publishing Limited., ISSN 1746-6660 jJOURNAL OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES jPAGE 137
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