Transitioning to Adulthood: Challenges and Opportunities in the Emancipation of Youth in Vulnerable Situation

Abstract

The GazteOn Sarelan program, supports young people in social protection as they transition to adulthood. Evaluated by the University of Deusto, the study gathered insights from stakeholders, including participants, professionals, and technical staff from Gipuzkoa’s Department of Child and Social Inclusion Services (Spain). Over four years, qualitative methods such as surveys and group discussions were used to analyze the program’s successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. The findings reveal widespread appreciation, with an average satisfaction rating of 9 out of 10. Young participants report feeling supported and engaged, crediting a culture of care grounded in humanistic values and consistent practices. Professionals highlight the enriching collaboration of complementary team profiles and the cooperative organizational model, which fosters trust and mutual accountability. The person-centered approach, focused on individualized care plans and strengths-based interventions, is a key success factor. The program’s effectiveness stems from the commitment of experienced professionals, reflective planning spaces, and leadership that emphasizes shared decision-making. Challenges include workload imbalances between male and female care units, professional isolation during shifts, and limited coordination between child protection and inclusion systems. Recommendations include creating interdepartmental working groups, improving workload distribution, and maintaining connections with former participants for long-term impact.
GazteOn Sarelan provides valuable insights for designing inclusive programs to support vulnerable youth, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and personalized care that can be adapted to other contexts