Tag Archives: supports

Project Update 4: The 3 THINGS that are HELPING care-experienced young people COPE with difficult experiences in their lives

Care-experienced young people often have to deal with a range of negative experiences and difficult/challenging emotions, which many of their peers might not have to deal with (e.g. abandonment, rejection, birth family histories of alcohol/drug abuse and domestic violence). In … Continue reading

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The mental health of young people in care: Barriers to help-seeking and how to make services more engaging

This post focuses on the mental health of looked after children and young people (LACYP) in Northern Ireland, as this is a very important aspect of our study. We have started fieldwork recently, and we’ve already encountered a few young … Continue reading

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Kinship care: Messages from research and practice on the struggle and tribulations of older carers

After attending an ARK workshop held in Queen’s University Belfast on the 7th June entitled ‘Exploring inequalities in caring: grandparents’ experiences of kinship care from multiple perspectives’, I would like to reflect on the main messages I believe came out … Continue reading

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Friends, pets, and social workers: who is important in young people’s lives and why

We are social beings, and relationships are crucial. We need other people to help and support us in different ways throughout our lives, from birth to old age: to take care of us and give us affection when we are … Continue reading

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What does formal education mean for care experienced young people?

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself” (John Dewey) In Northern Ireland, in 2013/2014, 73% of looked after children attained at least one GCSE/GNVQ at grades A* to G; compared to nearly 100% of the general school … Continue reading

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