National Care Leavers Week 2024

Yesterday marked the beginning of National Care Leavers Week. So in today’s blog, we’re explaining what National Care Leavers Week is, why it exists and how it gives a voice to care-experienced adults and young people here in the UK.

What Is National Care Leavers Week?

National Care Leavers Week 2024 (NCLW 2024) takes place from Monday the 28th of October to Sunday the 3rd of November. The campaign is led by Become - a national charity for children in care and care-leavers.

Established in 1992, off the back of the long-established ‘Who Cares?’ Magazine, Become aims to improve the day-to-day experiences and future prospects of care-experienced children and young people.

As one of several campaigns organised by Become, National Care Leavers Week is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those with care experience, to celebrate the success of care leavers and to raise awareness of current issues within the care system.

What Is The Theme For This Year’s NCLW?

Each year, National Care Leavers Week has a specific focus, and this year’s theme is ‘All of Us, We Are One’.

The theme was one of three suggested at a workshop attended by care-leavers and the organisations supporting them. The ideas were then put forward to a vote, with almost 200 care-experienced individuals voting for ‘All of Us, We Are One’ making it this year’s clear winner.

The theme speaks to the need for unity and collective support for care leavers, highlighting the desire for connection, and the importance of creating communities where those with care experience feel understood and valued.

Why Do We Need National Care Leavers Week?

National Care Leavers Week is an opportunity for those who’ve been in care to shine a light on their experiences, both positive and negative. It brings their issues, concerns, challenges and triumphs to the attention of professionals, decision-makers, the media and wider society.

Care leavers face unique challenges and leaving care is a pivotal time for them. Many young people leaving care will have experienced trauma, disruption to their education and frequent moves, and as a result may not have the life skills or social support that other eighteen-year-olds benefit from as they move towards independence.

Young people who leave care before they’re ready have been shown to be more at risk of poverty, homelessness, and mental health issues, an issue that’s highlighted in another of Become’s campaigns - #EndTheCareCliff.

The ‘Care Cliff’ refers to the often abrupt withdrawal of support and funding that some care leavers experience on turning 18, faced with a sudden expectation that they will have achieved independence overnight.

Whilst this is a separate campaign in its own right, it ties in well with some of the issues raised by care experienced young people during previous National Care Leavers Weeks, and shows how important it is that their concerns are listened to, understood and acted on.

National Care Leavers Week Events

There are lots of ways you can get involved in National Care Leavers Week.

Look out for the hashtag #NCLW on social media, as this is a chance to hear directly from care leavers themselves about what’s important to them. By liking, sharing and engaging with online content you’re helping to amplify the voices of young people leaving care and draw attention to the unique challenges they face as well as celebrating their achievements.

You can also check out the national calendar of events for NCLW 2024. This includes workshops, webinars, sporting events, conferences, and socials, all aimed at care-experienced young people and/or those who support them.

There may also be local events in your area hosted by independent agencies, charities and local authorities, so look out for opportunities to get involved locally and show support for care experienced young people in your region.

How Olive Branch Fostering Supports Care Leavers

Here at Olive Branch Fostering, we believe in supporting our young people with a Guide For Independence for as long as they need us, even after they turn 18 or leave the care system.

Life Skills Development

From budgeting basics to more complex financial planning, we focus on helping our young people understand how to manage their money wisely. Budgeting exercises, exploring income and expenses, and even learning about credit are just some of the essentials we cover. Additionally, cooking lessons help young people feel confident in preparing nutritious meals for themselves, which is a vital skill for maintaining health and independence.

Health and Wellbeing

Accessing healthcare services is essential for independent living. We assist young people leaving care in learning how to book appointments, understand prescriptions, and access mental health support if needed. Our team also provides ongoing encouragement to ensure they maintain good physical and emotional health habits.

Educational Guidance

Many young people wish to pursue further education, whether through college, university, or vocational training. We support them in navigating the application processes, including campus visits, for example, we have worked with both Salford and Manchester Universities to arrange onsite visits.

Home Life Skills

From doing laundry to managing a household, our independence training focuses on the basic life skills care leavers would need to live on their own. We take the time to work through each step, ensuring that they feel prepared and capable when it’s time to live independently.

Get In Touch

To speak to us about supporting care leavers, or if you are interested in starting your fostering journey, you can fill out our enquiry form, give us a call on 01706 558910 or book a call back for a time that suits you, and one of our friendly Olive Branch Fostering advisors will be in touch.