Vulnerable Childhood, Vulnerable Adulthood: Direct Provision As Aftercare for Aged-Out Separated Children Seeking Asylum in Ireland

(2017) Critical Social Policy, DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1177/0261018317691897

33 Pages Posted: 7 Nov 2016 Last revised: 22 Feb 2017

See all articles by Muireann Ni Raghallaigh

Muireann Ni Raghallaigh

University College Dublin (UCD)

Liam Thornton

UCD Sutherland School of Law

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 17, 2017

Abstract

Ireland’s approach to after-care for ‘aged-out’ separated children is problematic. Currently, upon reaching the age of 18, most separated young people are moved to ‘direct provision’, despite the fact that the State can use discretionary powers to allow them to remain in foster care. Direct provision is the system Ireland adopts providing bed and board to asylum seekers, along with a weekly monetary payment. Separated young people in Ireland are in a vulnerable position after ageing out. Entry into the direct provision system, from a legal and social work perspective, is concerning. Utilising direct provision as a ‘form of aftercare’ emphasises Governmental policy preferences that privilege the migrant status of aged-out separated children, as opposed to viewing this group as young people leaving care. Utilising a cross disciplinary approach, this article reviews the literature to critically analyse these issues from socio-legal and social work perspectives. This analysis will be placed in the context of primary qualitative research with experiences of separated children and young people and key stakeholders. This article concludes, that the administrative and legal approaches to aged-out separated children tend to limit the ability of the State to provide adequate aftercare supports to these young people. Ultimately, their migrant status is privileged over their status as care leavers.

Keywords: aftercare, aged out separated children, direct provision, Ireland, asylum seekers, law, social work practice

Suggested Citation

Ni Raghallaigh, Muireann and Thornton, Liam, Vulnerable Childhood, Vulnerable Adulthood: Direct Provision As Aftercare for Aged-Out Separated Children Seeking Asylum in Ireland (February 17, 2017). (2017) Critical Social Policy, DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1177/0261018317691897, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2865609 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2865609

Muireann Ni Raghallaigh

University College Dublin (UCD) ( email )

Belfield
Belfield, Dublin 4 4
Ireland

Liam Thornton (Contact Author)

UCD Sutherland School of Law ( email )

L129 UCD Sutherland School of Law
Belfield
Dublin 4
Ireland
00 353 1 716 4129 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.liamthornton.ie

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