University of Oviedo
Currículum vitae
Jorge Fernández del Valle is a University Professor of Social Intervention at the University of Oviedo. Director of GIFI (Research Group on Family and Children) whose main line is the evaluation of both residential and family care programs, and the development of instruments that facilitate professional work in this field. As a researcher, he belongs to important international groups such as INTRAC networks (research on transitions to independent living from child protection), the International Research Network on Foster Care and APFEL network for the Promotion of Foster Care in Europe. He is also a member of the board of EUSARF (European Scientific Association on Residential & Family Care for Children and Adolescents) and coordinator of the International Working Group on Therapeutic Residential Care together with Lisa Holmes and James Whitaker.
Talk
“Transition to Adult Life from Protection System – Results of Research.”
The situation that arises when young people who are in foster care (particularly when it is residential) reach the age of majority has been one of the central problems of protection systems in all advanced countries. Back in 2008, a review of the international situation is published in a book edited by M. Stein and E. Munro which shows the great differences in the approach and support of these young people depending on each country. Since then, research has advanced enormously on this topic of transitions to adult life, largely due to the initiative of the network of researchers INTRAC (International Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood from Care) promoter of the aforementioned book. A revised edition of this work is expected by 2024. This network that has been created by a group of twenty researchers currently brings together more than two hundred members. This presentation will review the research carried out both nationally and internationally and the consequences for improving care for young people in transition. It will look at the evolution from our pioneering work in 1999 (And then… what?) to recently launched innovative programs (PLANEA, Youth Mentoring, etc.)
