Abstract:

The main purpose of this paper is to know, analyze and understand the needs of the young people who will leave the host institutions and the difficulties and problems they will encounter in the inclusion in higher education.

In order to identify and analyze the needs of youth leaving care moving to an autonomous life, a questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose was used for a sample of young people who have already left the organizations that hosted them and a sample of young people who are still in host care institutions. A specific part of the questionnaire was designed based on issues related to the youth's needs and difficulties in the process of inclusion in higher education.

The target population of this study is composed by young people who are in care institutions and young people (n=150) who have already left the care institutions, in three European countries (Albania, Greece and Romania). The present study is related to measures and strategies for social inclusion and support for young people in their transition from leaving the care institutions to an independent life through education.

Despite the absence of educational support by parents and the limited support by child and youth care workers relating to the early end of youth care institutions some of the interviewed care leavers are striving for long-standing educational pathways.

The study concludes with discussion of the importance of educational achievement as an important turning point for youth leaving care as they transition into young adulthood. To enable them to continue their education, in the form of studying at institutes of higher education, financial security is required (e.g. through scholarships). Practical support is also necessary, along with mentoring related to the requirements of their course of study.

Keywords:

Education, youth leaving care, autonomous life, care institution.