The looked after young person as a learner : discourses through narratives - a case study.

This thesis aims to provide an insight into the discursive construction of a Looked
After Young Person (LAYP) as a learner. Adopting a social constructionist standpoint,
I acknowledge as researcher, that the results are my interpretation and the aim is not to
produce 'truths' that generalise to other LAYP but to offer an insight into a case which
may inform practitioners when working with these young people. The study extends
on previous research investigating the educational outcomes of LAYP by providing a
more in-depth analysis of a case, recognising that every young person is unique and
should be treated as such. Within the research, language is viewed as constitutive and
functional and the study investigates how discourse is used by the LAYP and the
professionals who work with her to construct her learner identity. Wider societal
discourse is also considered and following a review of the literature, I suggest the
dominant discourse in society constructs the LAYP as failing educationally and in
need of support. The data was gathered through narrative oriented conversations
around 'learning' with the LAYP and the professionals who support her. The resultant
text was then explored using Discourse Analysis (DA). Overall, the findings suggest
an empowering alternative to the dominant societal discourse, in that the LAYP
constructs herself, and is constructed by others, as a successful learner. The study
provides an insight into the 'discourses of learning' in a wider sense than simply
academic achievement, and in doing so, highlights skills that the LAYP has developed
due to her unique experiences. Implications for policy and practice are discussed along
with possible future research.