A very proud moment for everyone associated with Drive Forward.

Maleekah — a powerful voice from our Policy Forum — was invited to attend the Care Leaver Ministerial Board, presenting directly to key decision-makers, including co-chair Bridget Phillipson and Minister for Children and Families Janet Daby. Maleekah spoke with clarity, honesty and urgency about the systemic issues facing care-experienced young people — from education to housing to employment — and powerfully called for a cross-departmental approach to tackling the disproportionate outcomes too many still face.

This includes the possibility of making care experience the UK’s 10th protected characteristic under the Equality Act — a vital step toward recognising the structural barriers care-experienced people face throughout life. Encouragingly, over 100 Local Authorities have already made this commitment to actively improve outcomes for care-experienced children and young people in their areas. Maleekah says,

“I’m so grateful for the invite and for giving us the platform. I hope it brings change for this generation of young people who are our future and deserve a fighting chance. Thank you so much to Will [Drive forward’s Advocacy & Policy Manager] for all your support and encouragement, and to Drive Forward for everything you do.”

This is exactly why we do what we do. To amplify the voices of care-experienced young people and drive real, lasting policy change.