to be described as ‘intense’ for care leavers than other young people in difficulty,
and for those care leavers living in residential homes/supported lodgings or
rooms within housing projects (which had professionals on site).
Analysis of the interview data also showed that care leavers were more
likely than other young people in difficulty to assess their life as ‘easier than a
year ago’. Sixty-one per cent of care leavers reported this compared with just
over a third of the young people in difficulty. This view was more likely to be
expressed by care leavers living in private tenancies and for both groups of
young people living in flats within housing projects (i.e. those with more housing
autonomy). However, a third of young people in difficulty reported life had ‘got
harder’ over the same period. These young people were more likely to be living
in rooms in housing projects (where privacy and space were more likely to be
compromised) or within social tenancies (who had reported wanting more
support to cope with their finances). Therefore, it was clear from the transcripts
that how young people felt about their lives closely related to the type of
accommodation they were living in and the associated problems it brought with it.
Support for young people in the study was also assessed by who they
defined as their closest ‘key worker’. This was the professional they saw most
often and rated as most helpful. Although care leavers defined a wide range of
workers as being helpful, the leaving care officer was most frequently mentioned
by them as the closest person to seek advice and support from (characterizing
one third of care leavers). This was particularly the case for care leavers living in
private tenancies or residential homes/supported lodgings. But for those care
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