Mental health, identity and informal education opportunities for adolescents with experience of living in state care: a role for digital storytelling. Issue 6 (2nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hammond, Simon P.; Cooper, N.J.; Jordan, P.
• Is Part Of: Cambridge journal of education. Volume 51:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 713
• Page End: 732
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02
• Subjects: Education -- digital storytelling -- adolescents -- state care -- thematic analysis -- focused ethnography; Teachers -- Training of -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 370.5
• DOI: 10.1080/0305764X.2021.1919057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-764X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The mental health difficulties and educational trajectories of adolescents with care-experience is a pervasive international concern. This article explores how digital technologies can facilitate self-reflective dialogues and informal education opportunities for adolescents with care-experience. Extracts from vlogs created during an ethnographic project working with adolescents (n = 10, six males and four females, M age = 15.3 years, age range: 14–18 years) and carers (n = 35, ages and gender not sought) in four English residential homes are thematically analysed. Three major themes were constructed: richness of everyday identity ; complexities of in care identity ; and renegotiating narrative traumas . Themes illustrated how engagement with a blended intervention (featuring digital and face-to-face elements) created opportunities for trusted adults to support the mental health, identity and educational needs of adolescents with care-experience. The paper concludes by critically discussing the educational implications for those working with this group.