Permanently Progressing Phase 3: Adolescence and early adulthood

This project follows on the highly impactful second phase of the Permanently Progressing? programme to investigate care-experienced children’s pathways to permanence, their wellbeing, and the impact of transitions across life stages.

Why is this important?

Since 2014, the Permanently Progressing? study has been exploring the routes and timeframes to permanence (or impermanence), experiences, and wellbeing of all 1,836 children who became looked after in Scotland in 2012/13, aged five and under. Phases one and two found that for many children and young people transitions were challenging. Phase three will give a dynamic and textured picture of the cohort’s lives and providing a platform for future phases.

The overall hypothesis of the study remains that wellbeing, sense of belonging, and identity are influenced by pre- and post-care experiences, including time to permanence, legal status, connections with important people, and the level and quality of support received over time.

What does it involve?

The following research questions will be answered in phase three:

1. Where and with whom are young people living, and what influenced their pathways?
2. Has legal permanence and young people’s sense of security been achieved/sustained, and what made a difference?
3. How are young people getting on? Has their wellbeing improved or declined across Phases 1- 3, and what contributed to this?
4. How are young people, and those who are important to them, supported, or not?
5. What contacts and connections do young people have with important people, including siblings and birth parents? How have those relationships developed and been supported over time?
6. How are transitions towards adulthood understood and being supported? What are young people’s aspirations for the future?

The research will involve:

• Exploring young people’s care, education, and justice pathways through analysis of longitudinal administrative data.
• Examining young people’s experiences, relationships, and wellbeing via surveys with caregivers and young people.
• Qualitative interviews and focus groups with caregivers, young people, birth parents, and professionals to understand family dynamics, transitions, and support systems.
• Informing policy and practice by identifying factors that influence outcomes and connections across time.

How will it make a difference?

Findings will be directly shared with policymakers, practitioners, researchers, caregivers, birth parents, and young people. Outputs will include briefings, blog posts, academic papers, policy summaries, and public reports.