Care-experienced youth and positive development: an exploratory study into the value and use of leisure-time activities

Numerous youth development outcomes are thought to ensue from participation in ‘positive’ activities (including leisure activities), yet little is known about how care-experienced youth access and benefit from such activities. Underpinned by a positive youth development perspective and informed by the socio-ecological model, this study aimed to: (1) identify how care-experienced youth spent their leisure-time and what shaped their participation; and (2) explore how care-experienced youth think leisure-time activities contributed to their positive development. A questionnaire, designed to capture a quantitative appreciation of care-experienced youths’ leisure-time activities and a qualitative understanding of their experiences, was distributed in the North of England. Descriptive statistics were generated from the quantitative data of 86 questionnaires, while a concurrent inductive and deductive content analysis was applied to the qualitative responses. Sport/physical activities were the most frequently engaged in activities, during leisure-time, with sedentary, self-directed activities also reported. Care-experienced youth identified that engagement in sport/physical activities developed confidence, competence, character and connections, while arts-based activities provided an opportunity to be creative and engage in self-management. Positive peer and adult relationships were viewed as central to securing positive outcomes, but care-experienced youth felt they faced notable challenges in this respect. Finally, implications for practice are considered.