Working with youth in-care: implications for vocational rehabilitation practice

Abstract

Purpose. Youth in-care face a range of barriers that hinder their career development, not least of which is the high prevalence of mental health, emotional and behavioural problems among this population and lack of access to vocational rehabilitation services. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the factors that impede the school-to-work transition of youth in-care from their perspective and that of the key stakeholders in their lives.

Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 65 youth in-care, 27 carers, 14 caseworkers and 21 guidance officers in Queensland, Australia.

Results. There is a range of social, psychological and environmental factors that impact the career development of youth in-care, some of which are unique to this population. Factors include the effect of placement stability, negative in-care experiences, negative perceptions about them, limited access to caseworkers, lack of resources, poor educational planning and lack of vocational guidance and career exploration.

Conclusions. These findings have a number of implications for practice, including the need for rehabilitation counsellors to understand and address the multiple barriers facing youth in-care, to provide vocational rehabilitation services throughout the school-to-work transition period and to coordinate support from carers, caseworkers and guidance officers.

Keywords:

• Mental health
• rehabilitation counseling
• career development

Declaration of interest: This study was undertaken with financial assistance from the Australian Research Council and the Queensland Departments of Communities and Education and Training.