“Who is going to help us?”: A qualitative study on young care leaver’s experiences in Iran

Young people often face many challenges and uncertainties when they leave residential care. However, limited studies explored their lived experiences of transitioning to post out-of-home care particularly in Iran. This research aimed to explore the lived experiences of young care leavers in Iran and their perceptions and views of their transitioning to the world outside of home care. In line with the social constructionist approach, a qualitative method was adopted to gain insights and listen to care leavers’ voices within semi-structured interviews. A total of 18 care leavers participated in face-to-face interviews. The ages of the participants ranged from 19 to 32. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the research data.

The study’s findings reveal that young care leavers experienced a feeling of abandonment, sudden transition to an independent life, stigma and discrimination, loneliness and isolation. Also, transitioning to independent living outside of home care brought various challenges that care leavers were not prepared for.

Considering the challenges that young care leavers shared in this research, social workers, service providers, and decision-makers should pay more attention to setting up a personalised and proper transition plan for young people. Also, longer-term social change, community engagement and public awareness are needed to change the stereotypes and discriminatory approach against young care leavers.