A STUDY ON THE CARE LEAVERS IN KERALA

Abstract

Aftercare means making provision of support, financial or otherwise, to persons who have completed the age of eighteen years but have not completed the age of twenty-one years and have left any institutional care to join the mainstream of the society. Upon turning 18, youth transitioning out of child care institutions to independent life in Kerala face many challenges, such as securing housing and identity documents; accessing education, skill development, and employment opportunities; and psychosocial support. The present research study explores the importance of aftercare institutions in giving reintegration services that prepare Child Care Institutions (CCI) or re-entry into the community by establishing the necessary collaborative arrangements to ensure the delivery of prescribed services and supervision. The research examines the aftercare services that provide youth with comprehensive education, shelter, mental health, vocational services and material support after leaving CCI in the Kerala context. This study showed that absent or inadequate aftercare support during transition increases care leavers’ vulnerabilities to homelessness, unemployment, education, substance misuse, social exclusion. It also found that continued aftercare support is necessary to foster independent living skills in these young people and enable their reintegration into mainstream society. Finally, the study points out that intensive interventions have to be put forward to provide a smooth transition to aftercare and ensure services that promise independence and safety to the youth availing aftercare services.