WHAT’S A GOOD LIFE?

The wider recessionary implications of the pandemic are already taking hold. Over the coming months there’s going to be a lot of talk, including from me, about young people in and transitioning from care and NEET – those not in education, training or employment. 

Historically we know that all of those unlucky enough to enter the workforce during a recession will be financially disadvantaged for years to come. Our experience also tells us that those who are in care or transitioning from care will as a group fare significantly worse (assuming that they can even enter the world of work). As well as any education, training and employment metrics that we have, in some countries where they are available we’ll also carefully watch metrics on the over-representation of care leavers who are: 

·      homeless;

·      using mental health services

·      in prison

·      young parents and 

·      dead before the age of 25, whether that be some form of accident, suicide, illness or even murder.

However, while government linked administrative data is a very valuable source of information, we need to remember that it only tells one part of the story. It is in the main deficit-focused and was collected for administrative rather than research purposes, while it’s use also tends to reflect a strong social investment orientation that focuses on future government financial liabilities (and potential savings).  

In contrast, think of your own children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces. What are your ambitions for them? I am guessing that unless they have a life-threatening disease, you don’t feel the need to articulate that you hope that they will live beyond the age of 25? 

You may want them to be happy and find joy in their lives, to love and be loved, have a strong sense of identity and feel ‘comfortable in their own skin’, find their passion, believe in themselves, have the support of friends, family and others, contribute, learn, and experience energy, trust, control and freedom. Or indeed, how we think about and muddle through our own lives.

Should it be so very different for care leavers. And if not, what are the implications for kin care, non-kin care, residential care and transitioning from care services?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can email me at: iain@betteroutcomes.co.nz

Kia kaha (Stay Strong).

Iain