Youth receiving protection and advocacy services in the COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts and service recommendations from the perspectives of youth and their supporters

Abstract

Background

There has been limited research examining the perspectives of children and youth receiving protective services during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite reported challenges of unmet support needs due to reduced services.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to elicit experiences in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of youth receiving child/youth protection and advocacy services, and that of their supporters/advocates. Participants were invited to reflect on their experiences in the pandemic and offer recommendations for better supporting youth during a pandemic.

Participants and setting

Using a convenience sampling approach, 32 participants were recruited for study participation. They comprised youth receiving child/youth protection and advocacy services (n = 10), peer mentors (e.g., young adults who had received and aged out of youth protective services) (n = 2), informal adult supporters/advocates such as foster parents (n = 4), and professional service providers/advocates serving youth who were receiving youth protection services (n = 16).

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were inductively analyzed based on line-by-line coding, code categorization, identification of themes, and mapping of themes.

Results

Support provided by child/youth protection and advocacy services were decreased or modified during the pandemic. Participants conveyed pandemic-related challenges both for youth and service providers, yet resilience among youth. Impacts on youth comprised mental health struggle, uncertainty and feeling alone, increased personal responsibility, personal coping strategies, and heightened recognition of system gaps. Recommendations for future pandemic planning and recovery are offered.

Conclusions

Critical struggles of youth in receipt of mandated protective and advocacy services, and their supporters resulted from service modifications in the pandemic. Results inform services, and call for action in advancing proactive pandemic/disaster planning in the child and youth care sector.