'Dealing with it': Experiences of young fathers in and leaving care

The interface between two major UK Government priorities - reducing unwanted teenage pregnancies and supporting teenage parents, and improving the health and well-being of young people in and leaving local authority care - has been the focus of recent research. The overall aims of this study were to explore factors contributing to early pregnancy and parenthood among young people in and leaving local authority care; to determine the kinds of support available to these young people; and to identify what enables or prevents the delivery of the support they need. Via in-depth interviews, and in four contrasting geographical areas, data were collected from young people and service providers across England. This paper analyses data of relevance to the experience of young fathers who have been looked after - to consider how the needs of these young men might be better addressed through policy and practice. In-depth interviews conducted with young fathers and service providers highlighted three key aspects of their experience that must be addressed if future needs are to be better provided for. These are: social exclusion, trust and more flexible forms of service provision. The implications of these issues for future policy and programme development are discussed.