CARE LEAVER IN TRANSITION: WHAT DO TOKEN SYSTEMS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE (NOT) PREPARE FOR?

Abstract

The article deals with the question of what kind of educational concepts in residential care adequately prepare young people for leaving care, and for the transition to a self-determined life. For this purpose, two debates, and research fields are brought together in the article: One discourse concerns the re-search findings on the specific situation of care leavers, who often have to master the transition to self-employment with fewer resources than peers, who move out from family home. The other discourse concerns the critique about residential care groups, which work with systematic punishment and token systems. It is discussed in depth on the basis of a case study of a group in which the staff abused power in the name of the behavioural IntraActPlus approach. Data analyses is done by excerpts from the daily documentation of the professionals. It is shown how systematic punishment affects the inter-action, and educational relationship between professionals and young people in care, and how the young people ́s needs are faded out by a strictly behaviouristic perspective on adolescents actions and everyday life. Against the background of the empirical findings, the conclusion is drawn as to how group concepts can promote young people in care in subjective development processes, in learning to handle conflicts, and in their independence processes.