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Description
According to a 2015 report by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) on young people becoming independent, young people leaving foster care frequently struggle with the simplest matters; shopping, budgeting, and cooking, and are at greater risk of becoming homeless, unemployed, and getting into trouble with the law. There is no effective aid scheme for wards of the foster system who become independent. The hierarchical structure of facilities, in which there is little opportunity to make choices, hampers planning for the future. To be properly prepared to live independently, scope is needed for making one’s own choices and taking the initiative. This project aims provide help young people who leave the foster system become independent by building long-term relationships and a support network, and launching self-advocacy measures. We will provide one-on-one psychological and coaching support (each ward develops their own Development Plan with their coach) and a monthly support group. Young people will create an Instagram profile for people leaving the foster system to network, as a source of information. There will be three events at which topics essential for them can be raised and they can introduce themselves to the community: interactive theatre at Teatr Forum, theatre at Teatr Playback (audience storytelling) and a debate for young people (topic of their choice). The process of starting self-advocacy measures will be supported by self-improvement and creativity workshops (for instance public appearances, stress management, storytelling, improvisation and cooperation, the art of debate, expressing opinions, and improving self-confidence). Young people leaving the foster system (30 people) from Warsaw will participate. As a result of the measures, wards of the foster system will become more self-confident, gain agency, improve awareness of needs, improve their ability to build relationships in key areas of life, and develop courage to raise topics important to them.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the need to support young people leaving foster care in the process of becoming independent. The Supreme Chamber of Control''s reports on youth empowerment (2015) show that young people leaving foster care are unprepared for independent adult life and for running a household. They are at greater risk of homelessness, unemployment and conflict with the law. The problem is the lack of an effective system to support foster care leavers as they become independent. According to the law, an emancipated person should appoint an emancipation guardian one year before reaching the age of majority, but the law does not specify the tasks, qualifications or competences of guardians. The hierarchical structure of institutions, in which young people have little opportunity to make choices, is a constraint on planning for the future. In order to effectively prepare them for independent living, it is necessary to create opportunities for young people to make decisions and take initiatives.
The project provided the young people with psychological and coaching support based on an individual development plan. The young people also met in a monthly support group and created an Instagram profile to network with and be a resource for care leavers. Participants in the project took part in 3 performance events that raised issues important to them and encouraged discussion: an interactive performance by Forum Theatre entitled ''Education for (un)independence'', a performance by Playback Theatre entitled ''Ordinary-unusual. Tracing encounters that make a difference'', and a debate for young people on mental health care in institutions. In total, almost 100 people attended these events. Young people leaving care also took part in various development and creative workshops.
The project involved 35 young people from Warsaw who had already left care, as well as those in supported housing and institutions. The young people received support on many levels - emotional, psychological, peer support - and improved their skills in building healthy relationships, taking initiative and self-advocacy, and developed skills to cope with independent living. Their self-confidence, self-efficacy, awareness of their needs and courage to raise important issues have increased.