Getting by and getting ahead: the influence of informal relationships on the lives of young people leaving out of home care

Young people transitioning from state out-of-home care often lack secure family and community support to ease their transitions to adulthood. This thesis focuses on the role of informal, supportive relationships in these transitions. This exploratory study conducted in Victoria, Australia uses qualitative methods to examine the informal social resources available to care leavers transitioning to adulthood. It found that informal social capital and social support are valuable for developing meaningful relationships, normative social experiences, resilience and positive self-identity for care leavers. Informal adult support also assists with progressive responsibility, which may decelerate their transition to adulthood.