Moving On: Aftercare Provision in Ireland

In 2011, Barnardos and the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) came together to look at the issue of aftercare. Aftercare describes the range of services for children who are leaving the care system at 18 years of age. In Ireland, there is currently no statutory provision for mandatory aftercare resulting in ad hoc and patchy services across the country. Failure to provide adequate aftercare services can exacerbate challenges facing young people leaving care, many of whom are particularly vulnerable. The lack of available supports to prepare and support this transitionary phase in their lives can lead to increased exposure to and experience of homelessness, addiction, criminality, prostitution, poverty, mental health difficulties and early parenthood. Barnardos and PILA explored the legislative basis for aftercare in other jurisdictions, particularly the UK, to examine what options could work in the Irish context