Care Leavers` Challenges in Transition to Higher Education and Factors Relating to Their Educational Success

Background: Children and youth in care are likely to suffer from significant educational gaps, compared with children growing up in their natural homes. The starting point of care leavers is well behind that of the general population. In spite of the barriers encountered, however, some care leavers do succeed in the educational field and in transitioning to higher education.

Purpose of the study: The study examined the factors relating to the educational success of alumni of educational residential settings in Israel.

Methodology: The study utilized qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with 45 Care leavers.

Main findings: Two factors played a major role in the educational success of the care leavers and in their integration into higher education: 1)The priority that was given to education by their families and care facilities. 2)The care leavers personal assets, including ambition, future orientation, internal locus of control and independence. In addition, the interviews revealed the passive attitude of the care facilities in prioritizing education. Young people who came to the care facility with educational aspirations, used the care facility for educational progress.

Implications: The care system should make great effort to prioritize education to enable care population to successfully integrate into society.