- Investment Expansion: The UK Department for Education has committed £25 million for the 2026/27 period to expand supported housing and the ‘Staying Close’ programme.
- Legislative Protection: From September 2026, local authorities will be legally barred from categorising care leavers as ‘intentionally homeless’, alongside new corporate parenting duties for the NHS and Jobcentres.
Government Pledges Reform to Support Care Leavers Transitioning to Independence
The Department for Education has announced a series of reforms and funding intended to ensure every care leaver has someone in their corner as they transition from local authority care to independent living. The move follows the publication of a stark independent review which highlighted the severe vulnerabilities faced by young people leaving the care system.
A government-commissioned review, led by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain, found that 112 care leavers aged between 18 and 24 died in 2025. This figure represents a death rate three to four times higher than that of their peers in the general population. The findings identified “profound isolation” as a central cause of vulnerability when young people are required to move to independent living at the age of 18.
Funding for Supported Housing and ‘Staying Close’
In response to these findings, the government has confirmed a £25 million investment for the 2026/27 period. This funding is specifically earmarked to expand supported housing options for care leavers across the country. Central to this strategy is the national rollout of the ‘Staying Close’ programme, which aims to provide young people with a tailored package of support and accommodation. This includes housing models such as Shared Lives Plus and The House Project, which offer more stable environments than traditional independent flats.
According to the Every care leaver to have someone in their corner after review – GOV.UK report, these measures are designed to provide a safety net that mirrors the support typically offered by families. By expanding these programmes, the Department for Education hopes to reduce the risks associated with the sudden loss of state support at adulthood. This focus on structured support echoes other national efforts to improve specialist services, such as how MND Patients Set for Fast-Tracked Care in New UK Initiative focuses on streamlining assistance for those with complex needs.
Legal Reforms and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
The government is also pursuing legislative changes to strengthen the rights of those leaving care. Under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, “corporate parenting” responsibilities will be extended beyond local councils to include other public bodies. This means that the NHS and Jobcentres will soon have a legal duty to consider the specific needs and wellbeing of care leavers in their service delivery.
Crucially, as of 30 September 2026, local councils will be subject to new legal duties regarding housing. The government has stated that councils will no longer be permitted to find care leavers “intentionally homeless,” a designation that has previously prevented many vulnerable young people from accessing emergency or long-term accommodation. Details regarding these changes were further clarified in the official Government Response: Independent Review into the Early Deaths of Care Leavers.
By removing these administrative barriers and increasing the availability of supported living, the government aims to address the systemic failures that have historically left care leavers without adequate guidance. The objective is to ensure that no young person is forced into isolation at 18, providing instead a clear pathway toward a stable and supported adult life.