Stepping stones for care leavers

Kinder- und Jugendhilferechtsverein has been representing the rights of girls and boys and their families in Dresden and the surrounding region for many years. It provides children and young people with support and advice to enable them to cut through the red tape of youth welfare. The association’s specialist advisors ensure that disadvantaged children receive help in securing their rights. The aim now is to help young care leavers to achieve the transition from permanent care or lodging in a foster family to an independent and economically autonomous life. This is precisely where there is a lack of help and support services, as young people in this situation are often left to fend for themselves. The chances of care leavers successfully coping during this period in their lives are therefore very poor compared to those in traditional families. Very little support is provided for the individuals to personally develop their own potential.
To this end, the association is developing a range of services (known as ‘stepping stones’) in a pilot project promoted by Drosos Foundation in conjunction with care leavers. A trial period will be used to test the effectiveness of mentoring and educational programmes and a point of contact for care leavers. A model for the implementation will subsequently be developed and expanded in a future project.