Date published: July 28, 2026
New impact report: How Shared Lives is transforming support for young people leaving care
A new impact report from Shared Lives Plus shows how Shared Lives is helping care-experienced young people build stable, fulfilling futures through lasting relationships, while also reducing pressure on social care services. The Young People Leaving Care Programme Impact Report 2024–2026 highlights two years of evidence showing the difference relationship-based support can make for young people transitioning from care into adulthood.
The report brings together data, real experiences and learning from across the young people leaving care programme, which is led by Shared Lives ambassadors with lived experience and Shared Lives Plus colleagues. It demonstrates how Shared Lives is providing a more stable alternative for young people who are autistic, have a learning disability, have experienced complex trauma or have mental health needs.
“Doing the ambassador role has given me the chance to advocate for young people who are leaving the care system into Shared Lives. This is important to me because I feel that young people under the care system don’t have a voice to explain how they feel about their future. Young people need an advocate. I didn’t have an advocate. I’m using my own lived experience to make a difference for young people.”
Helping care leavers thrive beyond 18
For many young people, turning 18 can mean facing a sudden and unsettling change in support. The report reinforces the need to tackle this “cliff edge” by providing continuity, trusted relationships and the opportunity to develop independence at the right pace.
Since launching in 2024, the programme has grown from 12 to 40 Shared Lives schemes and supported 183 young people into Shared Lives arrangements. Since the first year of the programme, participating schemes have achieved a 157% increase in arrangements, demonstrating growing demand for Shared Lives as an option for care leavers.
One of the programme’s most significant achievements is helping young people maintain the relationships that matter most. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of young people remained with a carer they already knew and trusted, reducing disruption at a crucial stage in their lives.
The report also highlights encouraging outcomes in education and employment. Of the young people with available data, 68% were in education, employment or training (EET), underlining how stable, family-based support can help young people achieve their goals.
Giving young people a voice
A defining feature of the programme has been co-production. Care-experienced ambassadors Katie, Vicky and Gracie have worked alongside Shared Lives Plus from the very beginning, helping to develop the programme, influence national conversations and ensure young people’s voices remain central to every stage of its development.
Throughout the programme, the ambassadors have spoken in Parliament, met with senior policymakers, contributed to training resources and represented Shared Lives at national events. This has helped raise awareness of the challenges facing young people leaving care and the opportunities Shared Lives can provide.
“Over the past two years, the Young People Leaving Care Programme has been shaped, guided and strengthened by the voices of three remarkable care-experienced ambassadors. Their leadership, authenticity and commitment have helped create a programme that is not only delivering impact but is also empowering young people to lead the way in shaping a better future for those leaving care.”
Benefits for young people and local authorities
Alongside improving outcomes for young people, the report demonstrates the wider value of investing in Shared Lives.
Analysis suggests that the approximate annual cost avoidance of 94 young people moving into Shared Lives instead of supported living could be £2.9 million, while providing more personalised, relationship-based support.
The report also explores what has been learned over the past two years, including the importance of stable relationships, gradual transitions into adulthood and ensuring young people continue to receive the support they need well beyond their 18th birthday.
Looking ahead
The publication marks an important milestone, but it is only the beginning.
Shared Lives Plus is already building on the programme’s success through new funded projects, the development of innovative pathways for care leavers, a new training programme for Shared Lives carers and professionals, and continued collaboration with care-experienced ambassadors to shape future work.
As the evidence base continues to grow, Shared Lives Plus hopes even more local authorities will invest and recognise the life-changing difference that Shared Lives can make for young people leaving care.
Thank you to all the schemes who provided data for this report. Your contributions bring value to the whole sector and support our case for further investment into Shared Lives. We congratulate you on your local achievements and growth!
Read the Young People Leaving Care Programme Impact Report 2024–2026.
