On Tuesday 3rd June, we marked a major milestone in the history of Drive Forward Foundation.

In the River Room of the House of Lords, overlooking the Thames and within the very building where policy and power converge, we officially launched #CareToCareer – a movement with one clear, measurable ambition: To reduce the NEET rate for care-experienced young people to match the national average.

At present, 39% of care leavers aged 19–21 are not in education, employment or training (NEET), compared to just 13% of their non-care-experienced peers. By age 27, only 22% are in employment, while that figure stands at 57% for others. These statistics are not just unjust, they are systemic failures that require urgent, collective action.

#CareToCareer aims to bring together employers, policymakers, funders, campaigners and care-experienced young people to drive change where it’s most needed: access to sustainable, supported, and meaningful routes into work, education and training.

From celebration to challenge

The launch also marked 15 years since Drive Forward Foundation was founded, a moment to reflect on our journey, and recommit to the young people at the heart of our mission.

Hosted by Lord Hampton, the evening began with a sense of shared purpose. Our CEO, Russell Winnard, welcomed attendees with a reminder of why we do this work: because every young person deserves the chance to build a life they value.

Josh MacAlister MP, former Chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, delivered the keynote address. He spoke of the need for ring-fenced support, of the economic case for change, and of the bold goal set by the Care Review: to create 3,500 well-paid jobs and apprenticeships annually for care leavers by 2026.

Crucially, two young people and passionate advocates within our Care Experienced Policy Forum – Maleekah Burden and Ikra Choudhury – shared their stories. Not as statistics, but as individuals navigating complex systems, seeking the same stability and opportunity as any of their peers. Their contributions were a powerful reminder that lived experience must be central to any meaningful reform.

The panel discussion, chaired by our Trustee Jordan Morgan, brought together voices from across sectors:

• Professor Neil Harrison (University of Exeter) shared evidence on long-term outcomes and the role of education. His research revealed that effectively, care-experienced individuals are up to 10 times more likely to be long term NEET than their peers.
• Tom Walder (The Salad Kitchen) passionately talked about what employers can do to empower young people with care experience to confidently and successfully transition into the world of work.
• Spike van der Vliet-Firth (Lewisham Council) offered a local authority perspective on systemic accountability, the importance of partnership working, and the incredible positive impact that people’s personal approach to working in this sector can have on their colleagues and young people alike.
• Sir Max Hill closed the formal agenda with reflections on the importance of ambition, bold action and coming together across sectors and departments to drive social justice forward.

A fitting setting for a forward-looking movement

The River Room is no ordinary event space. Located within the Palace of Westminster, it sits at the centre of British political life. Once part of the Queen’s Robing Room suite, today it is used to host events that aim to shape national conversations.

For a movement  like #CareToCareer, the symbolism of the setting was clear: this is not just a youth or charity issue. It’s a matter of national policy, of economic inclusion, and of social justice – as Josh MacAlister so eloquently put it: one of the salient human rights issues of our time.

As guests stayed for a final hour of networking, sharing ideas, exchanging details, and sketching next steps, the tone was clear. This wasn’t the end of an event. It was the beginning of a movement.

What comes next

We know that change doesn’t happen from one night in Westminster. But we also know that momentum matters.

#CareToCareer is about building that momentum and translating shared values into tangible outcomes. We’re calling for:

• Employers to ring-fence jobs, apprenticeships, and placements
• Local authorities and government to commission targeted support
• Funders to back sustained, scalable programmes
• Advocates to amplify care-experienced voices and shift the narrative

If you were with us in the room – thank you. Your presence, your energy, and your interest matter. If you’re just joining the conversation now, there’s a place for you too.

📩 To explore a partnership: anita@driveforwardfoundation.org
📩 To support our advocacy work: will@driveforwardfoundation.org
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Join the movement

We believe in the potential of care-experienced young people. We’ve seen it every day for 15 years. What’s needed now is a system that recognises, supports, and champions that potential – from care to career.

If you’re ready to be part of that change, we’re ready to work with you.

#CareToCareer
Let’s make the future fairer.