Abstract: Submission #150

Abstract This qualitative study, informed by a descriptive-interpretive research design, examined the experiences of 16 youth transitioning from Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs), together with perspectives of family caregivers and service providers in eThekwini Metropolitan, KwaZulu-Natal. The results indicate that youth were unprepared for transitioning out of care. CYCCs fostered dependency by virtue of their structure and operation. Instantaneous graduation from childhood to adulthood involved “adult” role expectations on transitioning, without the safety nets and rights afforded in care. Multiple risk factors associated with pre-care kept youth in care and impacted their post-transition experiences. Against all odds, some youth demonstrated resilience and the value of interdependency and Ubuntu. More caring and less controlling supportive healing from toxic shame and trauma and stakeholder engagement to mitigate risk factors are recommended. The neoliberal discourse on independence is critiqued, with a call to shift to interdependence and Ubuntu in policy and practice for a humane response to past trauma, present vulnerability, and future risks.