“Care Just Changes Your Life”: Factors Impacting upon the Mental Health of Children and Young People with Experiences of Care in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This paper represents one element of a research project carried out into the mental health needs of children and young people with experiences of care in Northern Ireland. Focusing exclusively on qualitative data collected from 51 young people in care and aftercare, it discusses in the first instance how the challenges and difficulties faced by young people can manifest themselves in feelings and behaviours that may exemplify poor mental well-being. In doing so it provides an understanding of mental health in the context of these young people's lives. Through offering a more detailed account of some of the specific issues that put these young people at increased risk, it highlights areas for further work and consideration as a means of protecting them against these risks. These include: dealing with experiences prior to care; easing and “normalising” the experience of living in care; and enhancing “safety nets” after care. A key objective of the research is to inform policy and practice through the accounts of children and young people. It is argued that more work needs to be done to find creative ways of enhancing the day-to-day experiences of young people while in care and when leaving care.

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on research carried out by Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) and funded by The Children's Fund, The Camelot Foundation, the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and Down and Lisburn Trust. The authors would like to thank all of the young people, parents, carers and professionals who took the time to be involved in the research and all those who advised and helped us with the design and implementation of the research, in particular the two Advisory Groups. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the funders or VOYPIC.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christine Mullan

Christine Mullan is completing a PhD with the Institute of Child Care Research, Queen's University Belfast and was formerly Research Officer with Voice of Young People in Care

Siobhán McAlister

Dr Siobhán McAlister is a Research Fellow in the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Queen's University Belfast

Fiona Rollock

Fiona Rollock is an Assistant Psychologist with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and was formerly Project Worker with Voice of Young People in Care

Lelia Fitzsimons

Lelia Fitzsimons is Assistant Director of Voice of Young People in Care and was formerly Project Manager for the Caspar Project