- Low aspirations and low self esteem – they may have low self worth and feel like the world is stacked against them because they have been in care

- Bored and broke – wanting more money in their pockets and some direction and it all seems too difficult.....

- Labelled ‘in care’ – for some being taken into care has meant that they have more opportunities in life, for others they have struggled with being in ‘the care system’ and they can’t wait to leave – but are anxious about what is next

- Forced to leave care before they are ready? Children in care don’t have a choice when they leave, they can’t go back into care once they leave, this can create stress and worry about what their future holds and how they are going to manage themselves, their money, their housing, their relationships and their own families (if they have children of their own)

- Letting past educational results affect their future goals, not able to see their potential and how and who can help them achieve what they want in life

-  Limited lifeskills such as communicating effectively, peer pressure – find it difficult to say no to things or people they don’t want to be around or activities they no longer want to be involved in. 

-  Motivation - to do what it takes to move forward whether that is going back to education, leaving a group of friends they hang out with, setting small regular goals and taking steps towards them.

- Resilience – is important, not giving up when things are hard, and managing their anger or frustrations about everyday situations and not let it rule all their relationships with adults and their peers.

- Lethargy – disconnection with society – not knowing where they fit in, with their lack of current skills and aspirations.