We’re really proud to share our annual report for 2024-25 which demonstrates the impact of the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum on improving support for young people leaving care.
It covers all things NLCBF and YPBMF from 2024-25 including an overview of the events and workshops we have hosted this year, In Their Own Words, and insight into the further development of our YPBMF Champions and Legends model.
Some key numbers that are highlighted include:
- YPBMF Champions & Legends delivered ‘In Their Own Words’ messages to over 1,100 people.
- 97% of leaving care managers said NLCBF membership had benefited care experienced young people in their area (Annual Survey, Oct 2024).
- Over 425 people attended a Relational Practice webinar.
- 94% of leaving care managers say NLCBF membership offers good or excellent value for money.
- 34 events/network meetings held throughout the year, including the 9 annual hybrid events for leaving care managers, practitioners & care experienced young people.
- 4 online networks run regularly throughout the year: Participation; Education, Training & Employment; Mental Health & Care Leavers; & Care Experienced Apprentice Network.
- 21 care experienced individuals took part in 71 days and 62 hours of participation opportunities.
There has been a lot of great progress in the past year but there are still challenges to face including factors such as the cost-of-living crisis, limited local authority finances, and pressures on separated of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Even in the face of all of these, there’s still a number of reasons for hope and optimism. Key among these is the inclusion of the Corporate Parenting Duty extension in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill plus robust local offers from some local authorities including the likes of a mortgage offer.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for the first-ever National Care Leavers Month (which will be with us in November) and our Leaving Care Joint Event in Autumn 2026.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Forum during this year especially our YPBMF Champions and Legends, the NLCBF Steering and Stakeholder Groups, and to the many partner organisations that we work alongside.