World Social Work Month 2026: Hope and belonging for care leavers through Shared Lives

To mark the month, we are sharing our film, How Shared Lives supports care leaver pathways, co-produced with our care-experienced ambassadors Gracie, Katie and Victoria, alongside their Shared Lives carers. It provides information on how social workers can and do recognise Shared Lives as an option and refer young people to their local scheme.

The film also shows how Shared Lives can support care leavers to build independence, confidence and lasting relationships.

In the film, Victoria shares her experience of Shared Lives and the difference it has made as she moved into adulthood.

“The main thing for me personally would be the relationships,” Victoria says. “I feel like that’s what’s really changed my life with Shared Lives.”

Victoria moved in with her Shared Lives carer, Jane, when she was 18. She describes how Shared Lives helped her feel safer, build confidence and grow in independence.

“It’s amazing because everyone treats you like family.”

Her story highlights why Shared Lives is an important option for care leavers – and why early awareness and planning matter.

Since launching in 2024, our young people leaving care programme has been working with Shared Lives schemes across the UK to grow Shared Lives as part of the local offer for care leavers.

Through the programme, schemes are supporting young people to:

• build independence skills
• develop confidence
• and form lasting relationships

We are also working with social workers, local authorities and carers to increase awareness of Shared Lives and support more young people to access it.

As Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England, said:

“If you are an authority or a social worker or personal adviser who doesn’t know about Shared Lives, you are missing a trick. Brilliant family life supported by second-to-none Shared Lives support teams.”

Early awareness helps create the best possible transitions. As the film highlights:

“We would encourage children’s social workers to find out as much as they can about Shared Lives so that by the time the young person is 16, they can really start to be formulating what their plan is.”

If you work with young people leaving care, our professional resources explain:

• when Shared Lives might be the right option
• how it works alongside Staying Put, Staying Close and supported lodgings
• the referral process
• and your role in supporting arrangements

These resources can support planning and help more young people benefit from Shared Lives.

Access the resources: Resources for professionals working with young people.

Our young people leaving care programme is supporting Shared Lives schemes across the UK to develop and grow Shared Lives for care leavers.

Find out more: Shared Lives for care leavers, transitions and young adults.