National Care Leavers Week began with a remarkable evening of collaboration and inspiration at London’s City Hall. Hosted by the Care Leaver Covenant in partnership with the Greater London Authority, Partnership for Young London, and Drive Forward Foundation, this event was a powerful reminder of the resilience and potential of care-experienced young people.

The evening was a vibrant mix of impactful speeches, creative performances, and a shared commitment to ensuring care-experienced individuals are at the heart of driving change. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, addressing the challenges faced by care leavers while highlighting pathways for meaningful progress. A highlight was hearing from Ashley John-Baptiste, who recited a powerful passage from his new book. The event concluded with a heartfelt video message from the Children’s Minister, Janet Daby MP, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting care-experienced young people.

Launching the Manifesto: Would You Accept This for Your Own Child?

A key moment of the evening was the launch of our Policy Forum’s manifesto, framed around a compelling question: “Would you accept this for your own child?” This call to action underscored the urgent need for systemic reform in how society supports care leavers and challenged attendees to reflect on the disparities faced by this group of young people.

Consider the statistics: 38% of care leavers aged 19–21 are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), compared to 11% of all young people in the same age group. These disparities highlight systemic inequalities rather than individual failings. Without the familial safety nets that many others take for granted, care leavers are disproportionately vulnerable to homelessness, mental health struggles, and economic instability.

To address these issues, the manifesto proposes practical solutions, including improving access to education and employment opportunities, providing stable housing, and ensuring care leavers’ rights are upheld. By prioritising these changes, we can create a society where care leavers have the same opportunities as any other young person.

Moving Forward

Reflecting on the event and the broader goals of National Care Leavers Week, one message stands out: the voices of care-experienced individuals must drive the change they wish to see. It is not enough to celebrate their resilience; we must also dismantle the systemic barriers they face and ensure their lived experiences inform policies and practices.

As National Care Leavers Week draws to a close, let us channel the energy and insights from this extraordinary event into sustained action. Together, we can shape a society where no care leaver is left behind by asking ourselves: “Would we accept this for our own child?”

Get involved

For our ambitions to be successful we’re asking you to  listen to care-experienced young people, amplifying their voices, and taking concrete action. Whether it’s volunteering as mentors, supporting policy reforms, or creating inclusive opportunities in workplaces and communities, everyone has a role to play.