Leeds continues to set a strong example in how local authorities can support young people leaving care — with national recognition, new challenges in placement capacity, and a growing movement across the UK to put care experience at the heart of public policy.
Leeds Retains “Outstanding” Rating for Children’s Services
Leeds City Council’s Children and Families Service has once again been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted — the third consecutive inspection to achieve the highest possible grade.
Inspectors praised the council’s ongoing commitment to young people, highlighting the Archway Hub as a model of good practice. The hub provides a welcoming space where care leavers can meet, access advice, and build independence, while remaining connected to professionals and peers.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children’s Social Care, described the result as “a tribute to the dedicated work of our staff and partners who never stop striving to give our young people the best possible start in adult life.”
Giving Care Leavers a Voice in Leeds
Care leavers in Leeds continue to shape the services that support them through the Leeds Care Leavers Council — a forum for young people aged 16 to 25 with care experience.
Members meet monthly to share views, help design council initiatives, and participate in recruitment and training. Their input ensures that policy decisions reflect real lived experience and that services evolve with the needs of those using them.
This approach has become a key part of Leeds’ whole-council commitment to putting care-experienced voices at the centre of practice.
Regional Developments and Wider Pressures
Across West Yorkshire and neighbouring regions, organisations are working to strengthen the transition from care to adulthood.
Projects like Go Higher West Yorkshire are providing targeted guidance for care-experienced young people moving into college or university. Their “Higher Education Transition Pack” offers practical advice on student finance, accommodation, and managing life away from care — helping to level the playing field for those entering higher education.
However, the wider children’s residential sector faces mounting challenges. A recent investigation by Community Care revealed that some new children’s homes are waiting up to 18 months for Ofsted registration, delaying vital placements and reducing options for young people preparing to leave care.
This backlog is contributing to a national shortage of suitable local placements — a particular concern for councils working to keep care leavers close to their support networks.
National Focus: Care Leavers’ Month and Policy Momentum
At a national level, October marks the start of National Care Leavers’ Month, an expanded campaign building on the annual Care Leavers’ Week.
The 2025 theme — “Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity” — celebrates resilience and independence, while raising awareness of the inequalities care leavers continue to face.
Charities such as Become and The Care Leavers Association are calling for a renewed focus on housing, employment, and mental health, alongside recognition of care experience within equality and diversity policies.
The Local Government Association has also released new guidance, Supporting Care Leavers: A Whole Council Approach, urging every department in local government — from housing to finance to HR — to consider care experience in decision-making.
The report promotes guaranteed job interviews, rent guarantor schemes, and prioritised social housing for care leavers, reinforcing the idea that improving outcomes requires a coordinated, system-wide effort.
What It Means for Leeds and Beyond
The continued success of Leeds’ model shows what’s possible when young people’s voices are valued and services work collaboratively across departments. Yet, as the national picture reveals, structural challenges remain — particularly in ensuring enough high-quality, local placements for young people ready to transition from care.
As National Care Leavers’ Month approaches, Leeds and other councils across the region have an opportunity to lead by example once again — demonstrating how care-experienced young adults can move forward with stability, confidence, and pride.
Sources:
Leeds City Council, Ofsted, Community Care, Go Higher West Yorkshire, Become Charity, Local Government Association.