Abstract
Education plays an important role in the successful transition of care-leavers, and their progression towards being functional members of society. Research on the progression of care-leavers in tertiary education in South Africa is limited. This study aimed to contribute to the body of literature in South Africa on the resilience factors of care-leavers progressing through tertiary education and their possible selves. This study also adds a South African perspective to the international literature on this aspect of care leaving.
This dissertation presents a scoping review of the international literature of the access and participation of care-leavers in tertiary education. The paper specifically focused on literature that utilised qualitative research methodologies in their research. Part of the review then highlighted the challenges that the literature spoke of that the care-leavers experienced, as well as the support and resources that assisted them. It was also seen that there is limited literature on this topic from Africa, including South Africa.
The study goes on to report on the qualitative study that was conducted through the use of the life mapping and Possible Me tree exercises. Social Workers at CYCCs in three research sites assisted in identifying and making initial contact with the participants for the study. The eight young people that agreed to participate were requested to firstly draw a map of significate life events that happened to them in the life map activity, and the future selves they imagine for themselves in the Possible Me tree activity. Discussion on each drawing was done through the use of semi-structured interview schedules. The data was analysed by thematic analysis.
The results were presented in two papers. The first paper focused on the resilience factors that helped young people progress in tertiary education. Different themes emerged and were explored, including the challenges the care-leavers faced, as well as the various factors that have assisted them. The second paper focused on the future selves of the young people. The paper explored the different categories that the future selves fell into and also looked into the resources that young people had and/or needed to realise the dreams they had.
Recommendations for future research and practice were offered. The identified limitations of the study can be used to inform future research on care-leavers in tertiary education.
Keywords: Care-leavers; Resilience; Possible selves