Report Release: The Care Leaver Experience

BULA and ACI recently recently released a new report building upon existing research on care leavers at the group level. The report titled: The Care Leaver Experience: A Report on Children and Young People’s Experiences in and after Leaving Residential Care in Uganda highlights the important inter-individual variations, and more importantly - each care leavers' own experiences of care and transitioning out of care.

The report was informed by surveys that aimed to understand the care leavers’ experiences prior to entry into residential care, in residential care and after leaving residential care (including preparation and after-care support, help and advice received before leaving care, and after-care support). The research also gathered stories from care leavers that further explains the experiences of care leavers in and after leaving residential care.

One care leaver study participant stated, “Speaking from experience I grew up in a very well-equipped orphanage. However, I was never prepared for life after the orphanage. There was no system in place for leaving when you reach the age of 10. I struggled to take care of myself and continue with school. I witness much abuse-- rape, defilement and marriage between the orphanage staff and children.”

Additionally, this research provides recommendations to govern after-care support for young people who have exited residential care.