New Initiative Aims to Reduce Youth Homelessness Among Care Leavers

Young people exiting care will receive enhanced protection against homelessness as new responsibilities are imposed on local councils to assist them in transitioning to independent living.

Introduction of the Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan

The Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan, launched at the outset of Care Leavers Month 2026, asserts that no young person should face homelessness upon leaving care. It establishes clear obligations for local authorities aimed at preventing such occurrences.

Currently, many young individuals lose their support abruptly when they transition out of care. Lacking familial support, they often grapple with mental health challenges, financial difficulties, limited job opportunities, and insufficient housing options.

New Duties for Local Authorities

Under the new regulations, local authorities are mandated to publish their strategies addressing the accommodation needs of care leavers, collaborate with housing partners, and provide support to those at risk of homelessness within their local offerings. Importantly, certain care leavers under the age of 25 can no longer be classified as intentionally homeless, a barrier that previously hindered their access to essential assistance tailored to their unique situations.

The Action Plan also urges local councils to establish specific targets and outline available support for young individuals at risk of homelessness, with a commitment to provide focused assistance and guidance in areas identified as high-risk, overseen by youth homelessness advisers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Government Commitment to Address Homelessness

This initiative follows recent statements from the Prime Minister, who expressed confidence that all individuals experiencing rough sleeping will be offered pathways off the streets before Christmas. This commitment was reinforced during the inaugural Rough Sleeping Summit held at Downing Street, which aimed to galvanise collaborative action across various sectors. Additionally, the government announced new funding in the Budget to sustain this support throughout the remainder of the parliamentary term.

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister emphasised the importance of supporting young individuals who have been in care, stating that it is an essential aspect of the national effort to eradicate rough sleeping. He acknowledged that many care leavers enter adulthood without a robust support network, and homelessness can be a devastating consequence of this lack of support.

Focus on Long-Term Support for Care Leavers

MacAlister highlighted ongoing reforms in children’s social care, which prioritise fostering enduring relationships and expanding support for care leavers to ensure they have a stable place to call home.

Minister for Homelessness, Florence Eshalomi, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing homelessness, stating that their approach extends beyond merely providing shelter; it aims to prevent individuals from reaching a state of homelessness in the first place. She underscored the necessity of ensuring that young care leavers are not abruptly cut off from the support they require during critical transitional periods.

The number of care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England has surged to 86,890, marking an increase of nearly 10% over the past two years, with this demographic being disproportionately represented in the homelessness system. The Action Plan aims to reduce the proportion of care-experienced individuals experiencing homelessness by half.

Comprehensive Measures in the Action Plan

The government’s Action Plan builds upon recently introduced regulations under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, which require local authorities to outline their support strategies for care leavers at risk of homelessness. Additionally, certain care leavers under 25 will no longer face intentional homelessness classifications, and wider regulations eliminate the requirement for local connection tests to access social housing.

The Plan expects councils to transparently communicate the housing and support options available to care leavers, proactively plan for their accommodation needs, and collaborate with local housing teams. It consolidates guidance, tools, resources, and support mechanisms for local authorities and their partners to strengthen local preventative efforts. This includes a new guide for councils on planning housing pathways for care leavers, updated guidance on collaboration between housing and children’s services, and a youth homelessness prevention toolkit.

Future Developments and Support Mechanisms

From 2027 onwards, government departments and public entities will assume the role of corporate parents, with a mandate to collaborate with councils in supporting care leavers. This Action Plan also follows the recent Review of Early Deaths of Care Leavers, which highlighted the isolation many young individuals face post-care.

Seyi Obakin, CEO of Centrepoint, welcomed the government’s focus on care leavers, noting the alarming rise of 37% in the number of care leavers aged 18-20 assessed as facing homelessness in England over the past five years. He emphasised the urgent need for these young individuals to receive assistance as they transition to adulthood without familial safety nets.

Collaborative Efforts for Effective Implementation

Obakin affirmed Centrepoint’s readiness to collaborate with the government and partners to ensure the successful implementation of the new action plan, which aims to provide young people with access to safe, stable, and genuinely affordable housing, as well as the financial, practical, and emotional support necessary for sustaining their independence.

Louise Mumcular, Policy Officer at Coram, expressed support for the government’s Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan, acknowledging the disproportionate risks of homelessness faced by care-experienced young individuals. She highlighted the essential need for appropriate investment, consistent implementation across local areas, and access to suitable housing to realise the ambitious national targets set forth in the Plan.

Mumcular concluded by stressing that every care-experienced young person deserves not just a roof over their head, but a safe, stable, and supportive home from which they can thrive and build a successful future.