Councils required to publish plans for accommodation needs of care leavers under new rules

This comes as part of an action plan to reduce homelessness for care-experienced young people.

The Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan, launched at the start of this month (November 2026), declares that no young person should become homeless when they leave care.

It also gives clear new duties to local authorities to prevent that from happening, the Department for Education (DfE) said.

Under the new rules, certain care leavers under 25 can no longer be found “intentionally homeless”.

The plan also encourages local authorities to publish what support is available for young people at risk of homelessness, and offer targeted support and advice to areas of higher risk, overseen by MHCLG youth homelessness advisers.

According to the DfE, the number of care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England has risen to 86,890, up almost 10% in two years, and they remain over-represented in the homelessness system.

The plan aims to halve the proportion of care experienced people who are homeless.

Meanwhile, the Action Plan brings together the guidance, tools, resources and support available to local authorities and their partners to help “strengthen local prevention activity”, including a new guide for councils entitled ‘Planning Housing Pathways for Care Leavers’, updated guidance on joint working between housing and children’s services, guidance on young people who stay with their foster carers after 18, a new youth homelessness prevention toolkit, and a new Homelessness Code of Guidance youth chapter.

From autumn 2027, government departments and public bodies will also become corporate parents, with a duty to work together with councils to support care leavers.

Minister for Homelessness, Florence Eshalomi, said: “Our commitment to tackling homelessness is about so much more than offering a bed to sleep in, or a roof over someone’s head: it’s about preventing people from ever reaching that point in the first place.

“That’s why we’re launching this plan to make sure young people leaving care don’t face a cliff edge just when they need support most.

“These measures will give care leavers the support and opportunities they need as they move out of care and start their adult lives.”

Louise Mumcular, Policy Officer at Coram said: “We welcome publication of the government’s Care Leaver Homelessness Reduction Action Plan. For too long, care experienced young people have faced disproportionately high risks of homelessness, often at a time when they are navigating the challenges of adulthood without the support networks many of their peers rely on. Every year our Coram Voice advocacy service provides support to hundreds of care leavers every year across the country, and housing is the most common issue for which young people seek support.

“The commitments announced today are important steps in the right direction. We particularly welcome the government’s recognition that no young person should become homeless as a result of leaving care.

“Ambitious national targets will only be achieved if they are backed by sufficient investment, consistent implementation across local areas, access to suitable and affordable housing, and meaningful support that helps young people sustain tenancies and thrive. It will be particularly important to strengthen support at key transition points and moments of vulnerability, such as when young people move home, leave education or training, or experience a breakdown in living arrangements. Every care-experienced young person must have not just a roof over their head, but a safe, stable and supportive home.”

Lottie Winson