SUPPORTING CONFIDENCE AND IDENTITY AFTER CARE
Supporting confidence and identity after care.
Leaving care is not just about housing, employment or managing practical responsibilities.
It is about rebuilding confidence, understanding identity, and creating a stable adult life after growing up in the care system.
The Thea Framework focuses on four stages that support care experienced young people as they move into adulthood.
We work at the point where independence is expected, but the foundations for stability are still forming.
Thea Collective supports care experienced young people to rebuild confidence, identity and stability after the care system.
Our work is guided by the Thea Collective Framework, which focuses on four key areas that support long-term outcomes after care.
Many services are designed to assess, intervene and step back. Support often reduces just as expectations increase. Young people are expected to manage housing, money, work and independence, often without the stability or support networks others rely on.
This is the stage where things can begin to wobble.
Thea Collective works alongside young people at this point, providing consistent support that focuses on rebuilding confidence, strengthening identity and creating the practical foundations needed for adult life.
Understanding
Understanding how care experience shapes confidence, identity and decision making.
This stage focuses on:
recognising the long term impact of growing up in care
understanding survival behaviours and self doubt
separating identity from labels and stigma
recognising strengths developed through adversity
Before someone can move forward, they need language and clarity around their experiences.
Rebuilding
Rebuilding confidence, self belief and personal direction.
This stage focuses on:
confidence and self worth
imposter syndrome
decision making and independence
taking up space in education, work and community
This is where people start to see themselves differently.
Foundations
Building the practical foundations needed to create a stable adult life after care.
Focus areas include:
understanding money, budgeting and financial responsibility for the first time
navigating housing, benefits and adult systems that many young people face alone after care
setting realistic goals and building a sense of direction for the future
developing routines and structures that support stability and wellbeing
identifying the right support, opportunities and pathways outside the care system
This stage focuses on building the stability, confidence and practical independence needed to move forward into adulthood.
Stepping Forward
Moving into adulthood with confidence and stability.
This stage focuses on:
employment and education
building healthy support networks
long term planning and stability
leadership, voice and opportunity
This is not about quick wins.
It is about building something steady enough to stand on.
We work at that stage,
when things start to wobble
There is no fixed programme and no tick box pathway.
Support is relational, practical and delivered over time. It may include regular check ins, practical planning around housing or work, support through setbacks, and someone remaining involved beyond the point where most services step back.
Consistency is the intervention.
Success is not perfect behaviour or constant progress.
It looks like:
work or training that lasts
housing that remains stable
fewer crises rather than better crisis management
better decisions made earlier
young people asking for support before things fall apart
For local authorities, this means greater stability for care experienced young people and fewer situations escalating back into statutory support.