“"Care Leavers Month is an opportunity to celebrate the determination, resilience and achievements of care-experienced young people across Plymouth. Like any young person, they have dreams, ambitions and enormous potential. What can make the difference is having the right support, relationships and opportunities around them. We are incredibly proud of the young people we work with, whether they are graduating from university, starting a new job, becoming a parent, learning to live independently or taking another positive step forward in their lives. As a city, we all have a role to play in helping care-experienced young people succeed. Whether that's through offering employment opportunities, becoming a supportive neighbour or simply showing understanding, together we can help create brighter futures."
Plymouth Celebrates Care Leavers' Successes During Special Month
Plymouth City Council highlights achievements of young people leaving care, from university graduation to parenthood, and calls for community support.
By Verity Coombes
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a supportive community hub with diverse young people engaging in various activities.
Plymouth City Council is celebrating the achievements of care-experienced young people during Care Leavers Month, highlighting successes in education, careers, and independent living.
Young people leaving care in Plymouth are achieving significant milestones, including graduating from university, securing careers, and becoming parents, as the city observes Care Leavers Month. The council is using this occasion to celebrate their successes and encourage businesses, organisations, and residents to support their journey into adulthood.
Currently, Plymouth City Council supports 271 care leavers aged 18 to 24 with dedicated Personal Advisers, and an additional 117 young people can access ongoing support. Over the past year, care leavers have completed degrees and pursued careers in fields such as nursing, politics, business management, gaming, and animation. The council is also supporting 31 young people who have become parents.
A key development this year is the opening of Plymouth's dedicated Care Leavers Hub, offering a welcoming space for practical support, activities, and advice during the transition to adulthood. While acknowledging the additional challenges faced by care-experienced young people, such as trauma and educational disruption, the council is committed to fostering their success.
Personal Advisers assist care leavers in developing tailored pathway plans, covering housing, education, health, employment, and independent living skills. The Care Leavers Hub also provides activities like cooking sessions, parenting support, and social groups to build confidence and life skills. Support packages include a £3,000 setting-up-home grant, up to £3,000 annually for higher education students, assistance with driving lessons, leisure grants, and free access to the Life Centre, alongside council tax exemption for those living independently.
The council is actively seeking more support from employers and businesses, as currently only 42 per cent of care leavers are in education, employment, or training. Partnerships with organisations like Connect to Work and The King's Trust aim to create more opportunities through work experience, apprenticeships, mentoring, and training schemes. Residents are encouraged to challenge stereotypes and recognise that care-experienced young people aspire to the same opportunities as others. The core message from Plymouth's care leavers is that their past does not have to limit their future.
Based on information from the official source: Plymouth City Council (09/11/2026)
