Abstract:
The study explored the support systems available for foster youth in the
University of Cape Coast, the challenges they encounter, and the adjustment
strategies they use to overcome their challenges. The study was qualitative
research which adopted the phenomenological research design. The exponential
non-discriminative snowball sampling technique was used to sample 18
participants for the study. These participants included four current foster youth
and 14 former foster youth who were pursuing undergraduate programmes in
the University of Cape Coast. Researcher developed interview guide items were
used to gather data for the study. Descriptive statistics (frequency and
percentage) and thematic analysis approach were used to analyse the data that
were gathered. The study found that there were no support systems in the
University of Cape Coast that were meant for only foster youth, however,
general support systems such as counselling services, students’ loan,
scholarship for brilliant students, extracurricular activities, and support from
university staff and religious organisations existed. The foster youth faced
financial, academic, emotional and psychological challenges. They
endeavoured solving these challenges through self-determination, counselling,
engaging in minor jobs, perching and reducing transportation expenses to
lecture halls. It was recommended that policy makers in the university create
support systems specifically meant to address the needs of foster youth in the
university. Again, administrators, counselors and lecturers in the university
should establish an individualised comprehensive approach to offer the needed
emotional, psychological and material support to deal with the problems foster
youth encounter.
