Looked-after children and adolescents in child welfare are particularly impacted by the implementation of children’s rights, especially by the right of participation (Art. 12 UN-CRC). They are part of far more decisions and decision-making forums than their peers, while, at the same time, they experience a fundamental disregard of their rights. For this reason, the basic findings of the different chapters are discussed against the backdrop of political implications of the UN-CRC. Theoretical approaches and perspectives contained in contributions on the subject of encouraging participatory processes by children and young people in out-of-home care are also discussed. Against the background of the political discourse on incidents of victimization by staff and caregivers that involve looked-after children worldwide and the demand for a reduction in the number of residential living groups, questions concerning the organizational changes required in order to safeguard children’s rights in alternative care institutions are also discussed. Additionally, the perspectives of young people with experience in out-of-home care are reflected in this chapter. Care-experienced persons reviewed the chapters in this volume. They added comments from their point of view, comments which were taken into account by the authors when finalizing their contributions. All the authors and care leavers (who are 18 years old or older) have agreed to contribute to this volume.

This book contributes to complex debates across a field of research emerging from pervasive and ongoing issues in child protection and alternative care around the world. First, the chapter reflects on the political implications of the UN-CRC with regard to central findings of the chapters contributed to this collection. Second, the results of the chapters are discussed with regard to the premise of this book, that despite different child welfare systems and participation procedures worldwide, similar barriers and potentials to the participation of children and young people in alternative care exist. Certainly, the research results reported by the authors in this text, and the theoretical approaches discussed indicate common barriers internationally. Fortunately, this means that potential is similarly universal in many ways and participation advocates can be encouraged by this fact. The utility and experience of the review process by care-experienced persons will be reflected upon.