In January 2026, we collated this short report sharing the impact of the rise of anti-migrant rhetoric on young people leaving care. The report brings together feedback from leaving care professionals from 58 local authorities representing all regions of England. It highlights safeguarding concerns with key points including:
- Rising anti-migrant rhetoric is having a serious impact on young people leaving care, particularly separated and displaced young people, by increasing racism, fear, exclusion and barriers to feeling safe and settled.
- Local authorities described young people being verbally abused in public, approached and questioned outside their homes, and in some cases experiencing racially aggravated threats and assault.
- Practitioners also reported that some young people have stopped speaking their own language in public, avoid social media, fear wearing traditional clothing, or have even stopped working because they feel unsafe.
- In several areas, services are responding to visible far-right activity including protests outside town halls, intimidating marches, hotels being targeted, and group sessions being cancelled because of local unrest.
- Staff are also affected, with reports of verbal assault, online leakage of personal information, emotional strain, and uncertainty about how to challenge prejudice or protect young people effectively.
NLCBF have shared this report with local authorities, DfE, Home Office, Ofsted and third sector organisations supporting care leavers. We are continuing to collect and share examples of good practice around safeguarding and supporting young people impacted by these issues. Please do contact us if you have examples of good practice to share.