Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England: Whose Definition Counts?
Abstract
1. Introduction
1.1. Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England
- ‘Main activity’: What is the young person’s main activity?
- ○
- This is a hierarchical list: the order of priority runs from higher education, other education, apprenticeship, through to training or employment, and offers options for full time or part time activity. Only one option can be selected: if a care leaver is in education and has a part time job, their main activity is recorded as education.
- ○
- Further options allow local authorities to record care leavers who are not occupied in any of these main activities, and whether this is due to illness/disability, pregnancy/parenting, or other reasons.
- Accommodation’: What type of accommodation is the young person living in?
- ○
- Options include supported lodgings, independent living, living with parents or other relatives, homelessness, or living with former foster carers under a ‘Staying Put’ arrangement.
- ○
- Local authorities are also asked to judge whether this is ‘suitable’ accommodation for the individual. Guidance suggests that accommodation that is deemed safe, secure and affordable (including short-term accommodation that is designed to support care leavers to move onto stable long-term accommodation should be judged as ‘suitable’. Whereas accommodation that has been used in a crisis such as ‘emergency’ and ‘bed and breakfast’, and those who have no fixed abode or who are residing in a hotel should be judged as ‘unsuitable’.
1.2. Theoretical and Empirical Approach in the Current Study
2. Methods
2.1. Literature Review
- “Success*” OR “accomplishment” OR “achievement” OR “prosper*” OR “fruition” OR “Do* well” OR “progress” OR “benefit” OR “maturation” OR “ascendency” OR “fortune” OR “fruitful” OR “flourish*” OR “fortuitous” OR “thriv*” OR “blossom*” (must be included in the title)AND
- theory OR concept* OR defin* OR understanding (must appear in the abstract)AND
- “young adult*” OR “young people” OR “early adult*” (must appear in the abstract)
- 7 focused only on care leavers
- 3 focused on outcomes without the context of success
- 4 were empirical papers which focused on the authors’ own definitions of success
- Textual analysis of news media—1
- Textual analysis of students’ research project designs—1
- Interviews—10
- Review—5
- Survey—6
- Participant observation/ethnography—2
- Theoretical only—2
2.2. Care-Experienced Co-Authors
2.3. Sorting Exercise
3. Results
3.1. Basic Needs
3.2. Most Common Domains
3.3. Education
3.4. Employment
4. Discussion
4.1. Basic Needs
4.2. Common Domains of Success
4.3. Education
4.4. Employment
5. Conclusions
5.1. Limitations
5.2. Implications
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ending Homelessness. (2017). Homelessness prevention for care leavers, prison leavers and survivors of domestic violence, July 2017: Report 1. Available online: https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/237534/appg_for_ending_homelessness_report_2017_pdf.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Baker, Z. (2024a). The care-experienced graduates’ decision-making, choices and destinations project: Phase three report. University of York. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baker, Z. (2024b). The care-experienced graduates’ decision-making, choices and destinations project: Phase two report. University of York. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Benson, P. L., & Scales, P. C. (2009). The definition and preliminary measurement of thriving in adolescence. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(1), 85–104. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bradford, S., & Hey, V. (2007). Successful subjectivities? The successification of class, ethnic and gender positions. Journal of Education Policy, 22(6), 595–614. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Briheim-Crookall, L., Michelmore, O., Baker, C., Oni, O., Taylor, S., & Selwyn, J. (2020). What makes life good? Care leavers’ views on their well-being. Available online: https://coramvoice.org.uk/resource-library/what-makes-life-good-care-leavers-views-on-their-well-being/ (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Callina, K. L. S. (2013). Hope and thriving in adolescence and young adulthood: A relational developmental systems framework [Doctoral dissertation, Tufts University]. [Google Scholar]
- Carrescia, S. G. (2012). Defining success in young adults with emotional disabilities [Doctoral dissertation, Northern Illinois University]. [Google Scholar]
- Centre for Social Justice. (2014). Survival of the fittest? Improving life chances for care leavers. Available online: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CSJ_Care_Report_28.01.14_web.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Centrepoint. (2017). From care to where? Care leavers’ access to accommodation. Available online: https://centrepoint.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-06/from-care-to-where-centrepoint-report.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Children’s Commissioner. (2024). Hierarchy of needs for care experienced young people. Available online: https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2024/12/CCO-Hierarchy-of-needs-for-care-experienced-young-people.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Children’s Services Development Group (CDSG). (2020). Destination unknown: Improving transition for care leavers and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Available online: http://www.csdg.org.uk/2020/02/26/destination-unknown-improving-transitions-for-care-leavers-and-young-people-with-send/ (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Cho, E., & Docherty, S. L. (2020). Beyond resilience: A concept analysis of human flourishing in adolescents and young adults with cancer. Advances in Nursing Science, 43(2), 172–189. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Department for Education (DfE). (2023a). Children’s social care dashboard and indicators update. Available online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/657c3774095987000d95e1b4/CSC_Dashboard_and_Indicators_Update.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Department for Education (DfE). (2023b). Children’s social care national framework: Statutory guidance on the purpose, principles for practice and expected outcomes of children’s social care. Available online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/657c538495bf650010719097/Children_s_Social_Care_National_Framework__December_2023.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Department for Education (DfE). (2024). Children looked after in England including adoptions. Available online: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Department for Education (DfE). (2025). The children act 1989 guidance and regulations volume 3: Planning transition to adulthood for care leavers. Available online: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a0d251cae64da4967b3fdc/CA1989_Transitions_Guidance.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Doebler, M. K. (1998). Successful outcomes for rural young women: A longitudinal investigation of social capital and adolescent development [Doctoral dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University]. [Google Scholar]
- Ellis, K., & Johnston, C. (2019). Pathways to university from care: Findings report one (Version 3). The University of Sheffield. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ellis, K., & Johnston, C. (2024). Care and education: Instability, stigma and the responsibilisation of educational achievement. Children and Youth Services Review, 156, 107319. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Feinstein, L., Peck, S., Wigley, M., Duckworth, K., Selwyn, J., McIntosh, S., & Robson, J. (2025). Pathways into and through higher education for young people with experience of children’s social care. Available online: https://cdn.taso.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025-03-Pathways-higher-education-people-experience-children-social-care_TASO_REES.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Gill, A., Trask-Kerr, K., & Vella-Brodrick, D. (2021). Systematic review of adolescent conceptions of success: Implications for wellbeing and positive education. Educational Psychology Review, 33(4), 1553–1582. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Harrison, N., Dixon, J., Saunders-Ellis, D., Ward, J., & Asker, P. (2023). Care leavers’ transition into the labour market in England. Available online: https://hubble-live-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nnecl/file_asset/file/808/CareLeaversLabourMarket.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Häggman-Laitila, A., Salokekkilä, P., & Karki, S. (2018). Transition to adult life of young people leaving foster care: A qualitative systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 95, 134–143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Joos, K. E. (2003). What does it mean to be a success? The future goals and values of American teenagers (Order No. 3096629). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (305325253). Available online: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/what-does-mean-be-success-future-goals-values/docview/305325253/se-2 (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Josic, J. (2011). Critical understanding of US youths’ citizenship: Community belonging and engagement of “successful citizens” [Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota]. [Google Scholar]
- Kelly, M. (2017). Searching for ‘success’: Generation, gender and onward migration in the Iranian diaspora. Migration Letters, 14(1), 101–112. Available online: https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=473939 (accessed on 3 October 2025).
- Killoren, S. E., Streit, C., Alfaro, E. C., Delgado, M. Y., & Johnson, N. (2017). Mexican American college students’ perceptions of youth success. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 5(2), 88–102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lamont, E., Harland, J., Atkinson, M., & White, R. (2009). Provision of mental health services for care leavers: Transition to adult services. Available online: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/media/yiyp1qd2/provision_of_mental_health_services_for_care_leavers_transition_to_adult_services.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Lerner, R. M., Lerner, J. V., & Benson, J. B. (2011). Positive youth development: Research and applications for promoting thriving in adolescence. Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 41, 1–17. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- McGrane, J., Selwyn, J., & Baker, C. (2024). The development and psychometric validation of a survey to measure the subjective well-being of care leavers. Children and Youth Services Review, 158, 107462. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mendes, P., & Moslehuddin, B. (2004). Graduating from the child welfare system: A comparison of the UK and Australian leaving care debates. International Journal of Social Welfare, 13(4), 332–339. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mitchell, B., & Lennox, R. (2020). You gotta be able to pay your own way. The Canadian Journal of Sociology/Cahiers Canadiens de Sociologie, 45(3), 213–238. Available online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/27081273 (accessed on 29 September 2025). [CrossRef]
- National Children’s Bureau (NCB). (2022). Supporting care leavers with insecure immigration status: Learning on effective support, collaboration and influence. Available online: https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/Insecure%20Immigration%20Status%20Report%20-%20FINAL2.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Nelson, L. J., Jorgensen, N. A., & Rogers, A. A. (2017). “I think, therefore I do”: Cognitions related to flourishing in emerging adulthood. In L. M. Padilla-Walker, & L. J. Nelson (Eds.), Flourishing in emerging adulthood: Positive development during the third decade of life (pp. 244–261). Oxford University Press. Available online: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4716 (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Office for National Statistics (ONS). (2024). Milestones: Journeying through modern life. Available online: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/articles/milestonesjourneyingthroughmodernlife/2024-04-08 (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Nelson, L. J. (2017). Flourishing in emerging adulthood: An understudied approach to the third decade of life. In L. M. Padilla-Walker, & L. J. Nelson (Eds.), Flourishing in emerging adulthood: Positive development during the third decade of life (pp. 3–13). Oxford University Press. Available online: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4715 (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Palmer, A., Norris, M., & Keller, J. (2022). Accelerated adulthood, extended adolescence and the care cliff: Supporting care leavers’ transition from care to independent living. Child & Family Social Work, 27(4), 748–759. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pao, M. (2017). Defining success in the transition to adulthood. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 26(2), 191–198. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Patel, L., Graham, L., & Chowa, G. (2020). Evidence of non-economic indicators as markers of success for youth in youth employability programs: Insights from a South African study. Children and Youth Services Review, 118, 105404. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Preston-Shoot, M. (2007). Whose lives and whose learning? whose narratives and whose writing? taking the next research and literature steps with experts by experience. Evidence & Policy, 3(3), 343–359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rees Centre. (2024). Policy brief: Measuring outcomes for care leavers. Available online: https://www.education.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Care-Leaver-Outcomes-Policy-Brief.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Salmela-Aro, K. (2010). Personal goals and well-being: How do young people navigate their lives? New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2010(130), 13–26. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., Oesterle, S., Hill, K. G., Hawkins, J. D., & Pashak, T. J. (2016). The dimensions of successful young adult development: A conceptual and measurement framework. Applied Developmental Science, 20(3), 150–174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sebba, J., Berridge, D., Luke, N., Fletcher, J., Bell, K., Strand, S., Thomas, S., Sinclair, I., & O’Higgins, A. (2015). The educational progress of looked after children in England. Rees Centre; University of Bristol. Available online: http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/301411.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Sichling, F., & Karamehic-Muratovic, A. (2020). ‘Makin’ it’ in the Heartland: Exploring perceptions of success among second-generation immigrant youth in St. Louis. Journal of Adolescence, 82, 11–18. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Smith, N. (2017). Neglected minds: A report on the mental health needs of care leavers. Available online: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/neglected-minds.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Stein, M. (2006). Research review: Young people leaving care. Child & Family Social Work, 11(3), 273–279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Stein, M. (2008). Resilience and young people leaving care. Child Care in Practice, 14(1), 35–44. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- The Care Inquiry. (2013). Making not breaking: Building relationships for our most vulnerable children. Available online: https://thecareinquiry.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/care-inquiry-full-report-april-2013.pdf (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. (2022). Final report. Available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-childrens-social-care-final-report (accessed on 29 September 2025).
- Tolonen, T. (2008). Success, coping and social exclusion in transitions of young Finns. Journal of Youth Studies, 11(2), 233–249. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Trask-Kerr, K., Chin, T. C., & Vella-Brodrick, D. (2019). Positive education and the new prosperity: Exploring young people’s conceptions of prosperity and success. Australian Journal of Education, 63(2), 190–208. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Volstad, C., Hughes, J., Jakubec, S. L., Flessati, S., Jackson, L., & Martin-Misener, R. (2020). “You have to be okay with okay”: Experiences of flourishing among university students transitioning directly from high school. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 15(1), 1834259. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wade, J. (2008). The ties that bind: Support from birth families and substitute families for young people leaving care. British Journal of Social Work, 38(1), 39–54. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wahba, M. A., & Bridwell, L. G. (1976). Maslow reconsidered: A review of research on the need hierarchy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 15(2), 212–240. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Authors (Year) | Title |
---|---|
Benson and Scales (2009) | The definition and preliminary measurement of thriving in adolescence. |
Bradford and Hey (2007) * | Successful subjectivities? The successification of class, ethnic and gender positions. |
Callina (2013) | Hope and thriving in adolescence and young adulthood: A relational developmental systems framework. |
Carrescia (2012) | Defining success in young adults with emotional disabilities |
Cho and Docherty (2020) | Beyond resilience: a concept of human flourishing in adolescents and young adults with cancer. |
Doebler (1998) | Successful outcomes for rural young women: A longitudinal investigation of social capital and adolescent development. |
Gill et al. (2021) | Systematic review of adolescent conceptions of success: Implications for well-being and positive education. |
Joos (2003) | What does it mean to be a success? The future goals and values of American teenagers. |
Josic (2011) | Critical understanding of U.S. youths citizenship: Community belonging and engagement of “successful citizens”. |
Kelly (2017) * | Searching for ‘success’: Generation, gender and onward migration in the Iranian diaspora. |
Killoren et al. (2017) | Mexican American college students’ perceptions of youth success. |
Lerner et al. (2011) | Positive youth development: Research and applications for promoting thriving in adolescence. |
Mitchell and Lennox (2020) | “You gotta be able to pay your own way”: Canadian news media discourse and young adults’ subjectivities of successful adulting. |
Nelson et al. (2017) | “I think, therefore I do”: Cognitions related to flourishing in emerging adulthood. |
Padilla-Walker and Nelson (2017) | Flourishing in emerging adulthood: An understudied approach to the third decade of life. |
Pao (2017) | Defining success in the transition to adulthood. |
Patel et al. (2020) | Evidence of non-indicators as markers of success for youth in youth employability programmes: Insights from a South African study. |
Salmela-Aro (2010) | Personal goals and well-being: How do young people navigate their lives? |
Scales et al. (2016) | The dimensions of successful young adult development: A conceptual and measurement framework. |
Sichling and Karamehic-Muratovic (2020) | ‘Makin’ it’ in the Heartland: Exploring perceptions of success among second-generation immigrant youth in St. Louis. |
Tolonen (2008) | Success, coping and social exclusion in transitions of young Finns. |
Trask-Kerr et al. (2019) | Positive education and the new prosperity: Exploring young people’s conceptions of prosperity and success |
Volstad et al. (2020) | “You have to be okay with okay”: Experiences of flourishing among university students transitioning directly from high school. |
Topic Area | Domain | Number of Sources |
---|---|---|
Employment | Being successful at work/business, professional success | 6 |
Being in employment, career, work | 4 | |
Work/career satisfaction, in the job you want | 3 | |
Preparation for careers, vocational competence | 2 | |
Stable, reliable work | 1 | |
Work–life balance | 1 | |
Achieving a good job (at a young age) | 1 | |
Job search resilience | 1 | |
Taking on leadership roles | 1 | |
Achieving fame | 1 | |
Finances | Financial/material stability/security | 3 |
Earning money | 2 | |
Economic capital, asset building | 2 | |
Making lots of money | 1 | |
Being a ’respected provider’ in the family | 1 | |
Driving a luxury car | 1 | |
Financial independence | 1 | |
Financial shrewdness | 1 | |
Education | Academic success/competence | 5 |
Educational/school engagement | 5 | |
Higher Education, university | 4 | |
Educational attainment | 4 | |
Post-secondary schooling | 2 | |
Family | Close, healthy relationships with family | 5 |
Having a good marriage/partnership | 3 | |
Having a good family life | 3 | |
Being a good parent/Giving children better opportunities | 2 | |
Independence and equality in the family | 1 | |
Delayed parenthood (after 18) | 1 | |
Social relationships | Close, healthy relationships with friends | 6 |
Social and cultural capital | 2 | |
Projecting the right image | 1 | |
Being popular | 1 | |
Social skills | 1 | |
Having a positive influence on others’ lives | 1 | |
Connection to people and institutions | 1 | |
Citizenship | Helping/caring for others, prosocial orientation, philanthropy, ethical behaviour | 6 |
Active and engaged citizenship, productive, contributing to society, civic engagement | 5 | |
Character (values, morality) | 2 | |
Volunteering | 1 | |
Political activism | 1 | |
Intrinsic motivations | 1 | |
Valuing diversity | 1 | |
The self | Feeling good: happy, joy, positive affect, positive emotions | 7 |
Ability to overcome obstacles: surviving hardship, resilience, ability to cope, self-regulation, fortitude and determination | 6 | |
Having a sense of control: self-efficacy, self-reliance, self-control, agency, confidence | 6 | |
Feeling positive about the future: optimism, hope | 5 | |
Self-fulfilment, self-realisation, self-discovery, personal growth | 4 | |
Well-being: high levels of emotional, psychological and social functioning most of the time | 3 | |
How you feel about yourself: self-worth, self-esteem | 2 | |
Ability to ask for help/comfort | 2 | |
Making full use of potential, finding your place, to grow | 1 | |
Way of life | Religiosity or spirituality | 3 |
Life skills, practical skills, standing on your own two feet | 2 | |
Having responsibilities | 1 | |
Independence and freedom, fewer social restrictions | 1 | |
Living in age-appropriate accommodation | 1 | |
Goals and interests | Achievement and accomplishment, achieving personal goals, competence | 5 |
Sense of purpose, positive purpose | 5 | |
Having/focusing on goals | 3 | |
Avoiding procrastination | 1 | |
Satisfaction with own performance/effort | 1 | |
Identifying personal passion in life, opportunities to grow and develop interests/life interest, motivated to develop passions | 1 | |
External support | Receiving support and encouragement | 3 |
Having a role model | 1 | |
Experiencing security, stability | 1 | |
Health and leisure | Maintaining good physical health | 4 |
Taking part in leisure activities | 3 | |
Being successful in sport/athletic achievement | 2 | |
Living a full life | 1 |
Level of Need | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topic Area | Domain | Physiological | Safety | Love and Belongingness | Esteem | Self-Actualisation |
Employment | Being successful at work/business, professional success | X | ||||
Being in employment, career, work | X | X | X | |||
Work/career satisfaction, in the job you want | X | X | X | |||
Preparation for careers, vocational competence | X | X | ||||
Stable, reliable work | X | X | ||||
Work–life balance | X | X | X | |||
Achieving a good job (at a young age) | X | X | ||||
Job search resilience | X | X | X | |||
Taking on leadership roles | X | |||||
Achieving fame | X | X | ||||
Finances | Financial/material stability/security | X | X | |||
Earning money | X | X | ||||
Economic capital, asset building | X | X | ||||
Making lots of money | X | X | ||||
Being a ’respected provider’ in the family | X | X | X | |||
Driving a luxury car | X | X | ||||
Financial independence | X | X | ||||
Financial shrewdness | X | X | ||||
Education | Academic success/competence | X | X | |||
Educational/school engagement | X | X | X | |||
Higher Education, university | Possibly | X | X | |||
Educational attainment | X | X | X | |||
Post-secondary schooling | X | X | ||||
Family | Close, healthy relationships with family | X | X | X | X | X |
Having a good marriage/partnership | X | X | X | |||
Having a good family life | X | X | X | |||
Being a good parent/Giving children better opportunities | X | X | X | X | X | |
Independence and equality in the family | X | X | X | X | X | |
Delayed parenthood (after 18) | X | X | ||||
Social relationships | Close, healthy relationships with friends | X | X | X | X | X |
Social and cultural capital | X | X | X | X | ||
Projecting the right image | X | X | ||||
Being popular | X | X | ||||
Social skills | X | X | X | |||
Having a positive influence on others’ lives | X | X | X | |||
Connection to people and institutions | X | X | X | X | ||
Citizenship | Helping/caring for others, prosocial orientation, philanthropy, ethical behaviour | X | X | X | ||
Active and engaged citizenship, productive, contributing to society, civic engagement | X | X | ||||
Character (values, morality) | X | X | X | |||
Volunteering | X | X | X | |||
Political activism | X | X | ||||
Intrinsic motivations | X | |||||
Valuing diversity | X | |||||
The self | Feeling good: happy, joy, positive affect, positive emotions | X | X | |||
Ability to overcome obstacles: surviving hardship, resilience, ability to cope, self-regulation, fortitude and determination | X | X | X | X | X | |
Having a sense of control: self-efficacy, self-reliance, self-control, agency, confidence | X | X | X | X | ||
Feeling positive about the future: optimism, hope | X | X | ||||
Self-fulfilment, self-realisation, self-discovery, personal growth | X | X | ||||
Well-being: high levels of emotional, psychological and social functioning most of the time | X | X | X | X | X | |
How you feel about yourself: self-worth, self-esteem | X | |||||
Ability to ask for help/comfort | X | X | ||||
Making full use of potential, finding your place, to grow | X | X | ||||
Way of life | Religiosity or spirituality | X | X | |||
Life skills, practical skills, standing on your own two feet | X | X | X | X | ||
Having responsibilities | X | X | X | X | X | |
Independence and freedom, fewer social restrictions | X | X | X | |||
Living in age-appropriate accommodation | X | X | ||||
Goals and interests | Achievement and accomplishment, achieving personal goals, competence | X | X | |||
Sense of purpose, positive purpose | X | X | X | |||
Having/focusing on goals | X | X | ||||
Avoiding procrastination | X | X | ||||
Satisfaction with own performance/effort | X | X | ||||
Identifying personal passion in life, opportunities to grow and develop interests/life interest, motivated to develop passions | X | X | X | X | ||
External support | Receiving support and encouragement | X | ||||
Having a role model | X | X | ||||
Experiencing security, stability | X | X | ||||
Health and leisure | Maintaining good physical health | X | X | |||
Taking part in leisure activities | X | X | ||||
Being successful in sport/athletic achievement | X | X | ||||
Living a full life | X | X |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Luke, N.; Kelly, Á.R.; Arian, A.; Armstrong, J.; Maddock, E.; Marvilha, L.; Walker-Hylton, C.; Donohoe, H. Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England: Whose Definition Counts? Youth 2025, 5, 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5040107
Luke N, Kelly ÁR, Arian A, Armstrong J, Maddock E, Marvilha L, Walker-Hylton C, Donohoe H. Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England: Whose Definition Counts? Youth. 2025; 5(4):107. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5040107
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuke, Nikki, Áine Rose Kelly, Amirali Arian, Jaymie Armstrong, Elouisa Maddock, Lucinda Marvilha, Cleo Walker-Hylton, and Helen Donohoe. 2025. "Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England: Whose Definition Counts?" Youth 5, no. 4: 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5040107
APA StyleLuke, N., Kelly, Á. R., Arian, A., Armstrong, J., Maddock, E., Marvilha, L., Walker-Hylton, C., & Donohoe, H. (2025). Measuring Success for Care Leavers in England: Whose Definition Counts? Youth, 5(4), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5040107