All through November, we’re celebrating young people who’ve grown up in care. We want to cheer them on, make sure they’re heard, and back them as they head off to stand on their own two feet.
At Banya, care leavers aren’t just a number. They’re the young people we’ve watched grow up, the ones who still pop round for Sunday dinner, and the ones who go on to do brilliant things. So this month, we’re shouting about them, and we’d love you to join us.
What is National Care Leavers’ Month?
National Care Leavers’ Month (NCLM) takes place every November across the UK. It’s a time for all of us to celebrate care leavers, and to talk about how hard it can be to leave care and start out on your own.
It’s organised by the Alliance for Children in Care and Care Leavers, which includes the charity Become. For many years it was National Care Leavers’ Week, but in 2025 it grew into a whole month, so there’s more time to celebrate and listen.
This year’s theme: Leading the Way
The 2026 theme is “Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment.”
We love this one. It’s about how young people who’ve been in care can take what they’ve been through and use it to do good things. That might mean:
- Speaking up to improve the care system for the children coming after them
- Mentoring or supporting other young people in care
- Building careers, businesses and families of their own
- Simply living life on their own terms, which is an achievement worth celebrating too
Young people who’ve been in care know what it’s really like. We should all be listening to them.
Why care leavers matter so much to us
As a fostering agency, our job doesn’t stop the day a young person turns 18. The years between 16 and 25 can be some of the toughest: finding somewhere to live, managing money, starting college, university or work, and often doing it all without a family to fall back on.
That’s why the relationships young people build with their foster carers matter so much. A foster family can be the people a young person calls when the boiler breaks, when they get the job, or when they just need a cup of tea and a chat.
How foster carers help young people lead the way
Our foster carers do so much more than give a young person a bedroom. Here are some of the ways they help young people get ready for adult life:
- Believing in them. Sometimes all it takes is one adult who says “you can do this” and means it.
- Teaching everyday life skills. Cooking, budgeting, filling in forms, booking appointments. The small stuff that makes a big difference.
- Celebrating identity and culture. Helping young people feel proud of who they are and where they come from, including their heritage, faith, language and traditions. It’s one of the reasons we work hard to match children with families who understand their background.
- Supporting education and ambitions. From homework help to university open days and first job interviews.
- Staying in touch. Lots of our carers are still part of their young people’s lives years later.
Staying Put: a home beyond 18
In England, young people in foster care can choose to stay living with their foster family after they turn 18, usually up to the age of 21, through an arrangement called Staying Put. It means they don’t have to move out before they’re ready. They can take their time, with people who know them well.
So if you foster teenagers, you can keep being there for them as they grow up.
Get involved this November
All month, we’ll be sharing helpful information for care leavers, foster carers and anyone who wants to help. Here’s how to join in:
- Follow us on Facebook for updates, stories and resources throughout November.
- Share a message of support for care leavers using #NCLM and #LeadingTheWay
- Shout about someone’s achievements. If you’re care-experienced and happy to share your story, we’d love to hear from you
Care-experienced? You could make an amazing foster carer
A lot of people don’t realise this, but having been in care yourself doesn’t stop you from fostering. In fact, it can be a real strength. You understand what it feels like to arrive in a new home, and you know what helped (and what didn’t). Children in care really need people like you.
That’s what this year’s theme is all about.
Thinking about fostering?
Banya is an independent fostering agency with our head office in London, and we support foster carers right across England. We welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures and walks of life. Whether you’re single, married, renting or a homeowner, working or retired, what matters most is that you can offer a safe, caring home.
Ready to find out more? Get in touch with our friendly team for a no-pressure chat about becoming a foster carer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a care leaver?
A care leaver is a young person who has spent time in the care of a local authority (for example in foster care or residential care) and has since moved on, usually at around 16 to 18. In England, care leavers can get support from their local authority up to the age of 25.
When is National Care Leavers’ Month 2026?
National Care Leavers’ Month runs throughout November 2026. This year’s theme is Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment.
Can I keep living with my foster carers after I turn 18?
In England, many young people can, through a Staying Put arrangement, usually until they’re 21. Talk to your social worker or personal adviser about whether it’s right for you.
Can care-experienced people become foster carers?
Yes. Having been in care doesn’t stop you from fostering, and your experience can help you understand and support children in care. Every applicant goes through the same fostering assessment and training.
How do I choose a fostering agency?
Look for an agency that offers good training, support day and night, a good Ofsted rating and a team you feel comfortable with. The best way to find out is to have a chat. Contact Banya and ask us anything.
