EARLY IDENTIFICATION and assessment of problem teenagers could prevent many from leaving home prematurely and becoming homeless, a new study on homelessness in Cork has concluded.
The study found a large proportion of the 14 to 25-year-olds interviewed have a history of State care, while many others were exposed to domestic violence during childhood or adolescence, either as witnesses or victims of emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
The study, entitled Not Just Homelessness: A Study of ‘Out of Home’ Young People in Cork City, documented the experiences of 37 homeless young people. It was co-written by Dr Paula Mayock, lecturer in youth research at Trinity College Dublin’s school of social work and social policy, and her colleague, Nicola Carr, a research fellow at the Children’s Research Centre.
According to Dr Mayock, the research, funded by Health Service Executive (HSE) South, demonstrates the complexity of “youth homelessness”, with many of those interviewed reporting problems from childhood.
“On reaching the age of 18 years, young people confronted specific challenges and the lack of provision for 18 to 25-year-olds is a particular problem. Many were forced to access adult emergency hostel accommodation, settings which are most often not equipped to meet their complex needs.”
Cathleen Callanan, childcare manager at HSE South welcomed the study and said it helped illuminate why some young people leave home and miss out on the supports available from social services.
In addition to discovering many homeless young people had a history of State care or domestic violence, the study found some exhibited “problem behaviour’ including substance abuse which tended to escalate with homelessness.
“Young people had few positive coping strategies and their lack of access to mental health services is significant,” noted the authors. The report is available at www.tcd.ie/childrensresearchcentre