According to a 2015 report by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) on young people becoming independent, young people leaving foster care frequently struggle with the simplest matters; shopping, budgeting, and cooking, and are at greater risk of becoming homeless, unemployed, and getting into trouble with the law. There is no effective aid scheme for wards of the foster system who become independent. The hierarchical structure of facilities, in which there is little opportunity to make choices, hampers planning for the future. To be properly prepared to live independently, scope is needed for making one’s own choices and taking the initiative.

This project aims provide help young people who leave the foster system become independent by building long-term relationships and a support network, and launching self-advocacy measures.

We will provide one-on-one psychological and coaching support (each ward develops their own Development Plan with their coach) and a monthly support group. Young people will create an Instagram profile for people leaving the foster system to network, as a source of information. There will be three events at which topics essential for them can be raised and they can introduce themselves to the community: interactive theatre at Teatr Forum, theatre at Teatr Playback (audience storytelling) and a debate for young people (topic of their choice). The process of starting self-advocacy measures will be supported by self-improvement and creativity workshops (for instance public appearances, stress management, storytelling, improvisation and cooperation, the art of debate, expressing opinions, and improving self-confidence).

Young people leaving the foster system (30 people) from Warsaw will participate. As a result of the measures, wards of the foster system will become more self-confident, gain agency, improve awareness of needs, improve their ability to build relationships in key areas of life, and develop courage to raise topics important to them.