In Austria, over 13,000 children and adolescents are at least temporarily accommodated in of child and youth support institutions in the competent Austrian provinces at the moment. Sooner or later, they all face the challenge of moving from accompanied living or family-like forms of care to independent living – usually when they come of age.

While the average age of young people leaving their parents’ house is over 25 years old in Austria, “care leavers” must be capable of leading an independent and autonomous life at the young age of 18. As compared to young adults who grew up with their families of origin, it can be expected that “care leavers” face various existential questions and need to organize an independent daily routine, sometimes within a very short time.

Against this background, this project sets out to determine how the life situation of young care leavers evolves during the transition from stationary institutions of child and youth support. The methods range from discourse and literature analysis to narrative and guideline-supported interviews involving, in particular,  the young adults affected as research subjects. The project’s relevance is highlighted by the stipulated changes of child and youth support from a sociopolitical point of view and by the continued lack of sufficient research into this topic.