Abstract
The study aims to explore the relationship between possible selves and its contribution towards resilience of children at child and youth care centres. The study emanates from the body of literature regarding the outcomes of care leavers associated with the lack of preparation towards exiting care centres. The literature identified a need to look into interventions aimed at preparing Young Persons for the time when they have to exit care. Resilience theory and possible selves’ theory were the theories which informed the study. This study is rooted in the field of Child and Youth Care in which the finding will be relevant to both Social workers and Child and Youth Care workers. This qualitative study was conducted through the use of the river of life and possible me exercise where YP had to sketch their own lives and dreams for their future within the course of two weeks. Data was collected at four Child and Youth Care Centres within the Vaal Triangle as the study respondents were Young Persons in Grade 8 and have been within the Child and Youth Care Centre for a period longer than a year. Data was analysed through thematic analysis to which the themes which emerged from the study included the Young Person's view of self and possible selves, the experiences of Young Persons and how they influenced the possible selves and lastly factors of possible selves and resilience. From the study, it became evident that there is a relationship between possible selves and resilience as through future hopes Young Persons were able to identify resilience factors, whereas through resilient factors possible selves were identified. The study argues that role players such as social workers and child and youth care workers are instrumental in facilitating the resilience of children in Child and Youth Care Centres; therefore, they need to create an environment that will allow children to open up about their life experiences. Secondly, there is a need to train social workers and child and youth care workers on resilience and possible me theories as they are amongst the effective theories to prepare children towards exiting care. Lastly, the study argues the need for policies addressing employment for social workers who specifically deal with placement and reunification as this can enhance outcomes of children when they have to leave the Child and Youth Care Centres. The study argues that possible selves and resilience are tools that can be useful for Young Persons to open up about their past and at the same time to understand what the Young Persons want for their future.
M.A. (Community Development)