Slipping down ladders and climbing up snakes : the experiences of university students who were formerly in OOHC, and research challenges to current policy and practice

Education has the potential to make a substantial contribution towards improving the life-chances of the 50,000 children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) across Australia and New Zealand. Yet, most in OOHC face significant educational challenges, many do not receive a quality education, and exceptionally few go on to university. Making links with the growing body of Australasian and international research literature on the education of children in OOHC, this presentation reports on 'Slipping down Ladders and Climbing up Snakes' - a doctoral qualitative study that investigated the experiences of seven New Zealand university students who were formerly in foster care. The presentation particularly focuses upon the study's findings in relation to foster care and leaving care. While confirming that 'Kiwi kids in care' can and do go to university, the main barriers included limited educational support for those in foster care, mixed placement quality, multiple placements and a lack of permanency, challenging behaviour, being discharged from care at 17 and irrespective of whether schooling had been completed, generally poor and somewhat limited relationships with social workers, and limited financial support on leaving care from the national statutory child welfare agency Child, Youth and Family. Nonetheless, and despite the above, participants' experiences also suggest the critical importance of at least one of their longer-term foster carers creating an educationally-rich environment, and formal support services for care leavers where they were available. Once at university, the majority did sometimes struggle, although there was usually some support from former foster carers, long-term partners, and in some instances parents. As well as examining the possible implications of the study, whether and how such studies can shape policy and practice is also discussed.