Life after Leaving Institutional Care: Independent Living Experience of Orphan Care Leavers of Mumbai, India

Transitioning from institutional care to independent living is a complex process for orphan care leavers. Most of them struggle to adapt to independent living for longer periods after leaving institutional care. This study describes those challenges in the Indian context. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 orphan care leavers to explore their experiences and perceptions of independent living. Findings showed that orphan care leavers perceive independent living as both opportunity and challenge. Some orphan care leavers felt that after leaving institutional care, they have lived through difficulties at their workplace: while finding accommodation, in household management, and establishing their official identity. However, data suggest that even in adverse circumstances, these orphan young adults have kept hope and have positive aspirations about their lives with a very strong informal network of care leavers as their main source of support. But overall, it was confirmed that social exclusion based on personal and care background is persistent among the orphan care leavers. Therefore, for promoting a better independent living experience initiating changes in the approach to work with care leavers is recommended.