Southampton Supports National Care Leavers’ Month: “Rising in Me – Overcoming Challenges, Transforming and Finding Your Identity”

Southampton City Council is proudly joining the national celebration of National Care Leavers’ Month 2025, which this year focuses on the theme “Rising in Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming and finding your identity.”

The council currently supports more than 315 care leavers aged 18 to 25 across the city. These young people, who have previously been in the council’s care, are now developing their independence and confidence as young adults. Each care leaver is supported by a dedicated Personal Advisor (PA), who provides help with housing, education, work, and personal development.

In addition, the council maintains contact with over 120 young people aged 21 and above through its Extended Offer — ensuring ongoing support for those who may still need guidance as they navigate adulthood.

Southampton City Council has praised the resilience, determination, and achievements of its care leavers, many of whom are managing tenancies, raising children, studying, and working—often without the family support that many young adults rely on.

Celebrating Success and Building Opportunity

To mark National Care Leavers’ Month, a range of events will take place across Southampton, including theatre trips, celebration evenings, the lighting of the Guildhall, and a Council ‘Take Over Day’—an opportunity for young people with care experience to gain first-hand insight into working in local government.

The council is also encouraging the wider community to get involved by offering work experience placements, providing discounts for care leavers in local businesses, or partnering with the council as private landlords to help offer safe accommodation.

A Southampton care leaver, Braydon, spoke about the support he has received and the confidence he has built through his journey.

“As a care leaver, you gain a lot of strength and independence,” Braydon said. “I’ve been well looked after by my PA, which is one of the changes you’ll notice coming in as a care leaver. It’s nothing to be scared of though. They are all fantastic.
My PA has been super with getting me involved in football coaching. Having my PA and team behind me has helped me to push through and get into these roles—it’s really opened up doors for me.”

“Every contribution makes a difference”

Councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning at Southampton City Council, said the month is a vital opportunity to celebrate achievements and build further community support.

“National Care Leavers’ Month is a time for the council to reflect on our care leavers’ achievements,” she said. “It’s also a moment to think about how together as a community we can do more to support them. Every contribution makes a difference. Whether you offer work experience, provide housing, or join us at an event, it all helps.”

“Incredible bravery and resilience”

Robert Henderson, Executive Director for Community Wellbeing, Children and Learning, also praised the city’s care leavers and called for more local foster carers to help support young people’s journeys.

“I am incredibly proud of our care leavers,” he said. “Care Leavers’ Month is a great opportunity to celebrate them and all that they are. Many have experienced real challenges in their lives, and have shown huge bravery and resilience, taking small and huge steps as they navigate their life journeys.
Through their feedback and ideas, they are also helping us as a service, a council and a city to do better for the care leavers of today and the care leavers of tomorrow.
Along their life paths, many have found warmth, belief and acceptance in the homes of our amazing foster carers – we would love to have more local foster carers who can help to shape the lives of our future care leavers.”

Get Involved

Throughout November, the council will share stories and updates that recognise and celebrate care leavers as valued members of the Southampton community.

Anyone interested in offering support—whether through employment, housing, mentoring, or other opportunities—is encouraged to contact the council at:
18-25duty@southampton.gov.uk