Care Leavers’
Programme
Supporting Care Leavers in Suffolk
In January 2026, Suffolk Community Foundation secured £30,000 per year for three years from the UK Community Foundations’ Care Leavers’ Programme, with a requirement for match funding. This investment will help deliver targeted support for care-experienced young people across Suffolk.
A care leaver is generally someone who has been in the care of the state, such as foster care, residential care or other state-approved arrangements, and is now moving towards independence.
The Challenge Facing Care Leavers
There are around 1,200 care leavers in Suffolk aged 18–25, many facing barriers to education, employment, and stable housing.
- 55% are not in education, employment, or training (NEET)
- Higher levels of disadvantage exist in areas such as Lowestoft
- Around 25% require ongoing support from social care services
- A similar proportion will encounter the criminal justice system
These challenges often lead to reduced opportunities, lower confidence, and limited long-term prospects.
Our Targeted Support Programme
Working in partnership with Suffolk County Council’s Leaving Care Team, we are developing a focused programme to address two priority areas:
1. Mentoring for Young People (NEET)
We will provide personalised mentoring to help young people build confidence, gain skills, and move toward employment.
Support will include:
- A dedicated employment mentor
- One-to-one coaching and confidence-building
- CV writing and job-readiness support
- Employer engagement opportunities, including taster days and work trials
- Access to housing, mental health, and wellbeing services
This support will be delivered by Anglia Care Trust with a focus on building confidence, developing employability skills, and supporting individuals to take control of their futures.
2. Support for Care-Experienced Parents
We will offer practical and emotional support to those parents and parents-to-be who are leaving care, helping them create stable, nurturing environments for their children.
This will be delivered by Home-Start Suffolk, which aims to help this group of care leavers navigate the challenges of parenthood and create a stable, nurturing environment for their children. It will include home visits, peer support groups, and access to a range of tailored services for both parents and children.
Support will include:
- Home visits
- Peer support groups
- Access to specialist services for parents and children
Delivering Impact Through Partnerships
We are working with potential charities who will be invited to submit proposals to deliver this programme. Together, we aim to create better outcomes and brighter futures for care leavers in Suffolk.