New plan says no young person should become homeless when they leave care

Young people leaving care should never become homeless, the government has declared, as it launched a new plan with fresh duties on councils to make sure care leavers have somewhere safe to live as they start adult life.

The Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan was published at the start of Care Leavers Month 2026. It aims to halve the number of care-experienced people who are homeless.

No more "cliff edge"

Too many young people lose their support overnight when they leave care, the government says. Without family to fall back on, they can face poor mental health, money worries, a lack of work or education, and too few suitable homes.

Under rules introduced by the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act this year, councils must publish their plans to support care leavers at risk of homelessness. Certain care leavers under 25 can no longer be found "intentionally homeless", a rule that had stood in the way of help, and they no longer have to meet local connection tests to get social housing.

What councils will do

The plan expects councils to publish clearly what housing and support they offer care leavers, to plan ahead for their accommodation needs, and to work closely with housing teams. Councils are also encouraged to set local targets.

It brings together new guidance and tools, including a guide called Planning Housing Pathways for Care Leavers, a youth homelessness prevention toolkit and updated guidance for young people who stay with their foster carers after 18. A new £3 million Test, Learn, Grow programme will focus on preventing youth homelessness, and areas at higher risk will get targeted advice.

"A place to call home"

Children's Minister Josh MacAlister said: "Too many care leavers step into adulthood without a strong support network around them, and homelessness can be one of the tragic consequences."

"We're changing children's social care from top to bottom, making enduring relationships the focus of the system and expanding support for care leavers to help ensure they have a place to call home."

Homelessness Minister Florence Eshalomi said: "That's why we're launching this plan to make sure young people leaving care don't face a cliff edge just when they need support most."

Help until 25

The number of care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England has risen to 86,890, up almost 10% in two years, and they are over-represented among homeless people. The Staying Close programme, which helps care leavers find and keep a safe home up to the age of 25, already runs in 50 areas and will become a national duty on councils from 2029. From autumn 2027, government departments and public bodies will also become "corporate parents" with a duty to support care leavers.

In Birmingham, support for young people leaving care is provided through Birmingham Children's Trust and the city council. Any care leaver worried about housing should contact their personal adviser, or the council's housing options service, as early as possible.