November is National Care Leavers Month, and Brighton and Hove City Council said on Thursday 5 November 2026 that it has updated its local offer for care leavers aged 16 to 25, the package of support for young people leaving care in the city.
The council also reports that 116 care leavers have joined its free bus travel pilot, around 40 per cent of the eligible group. A book launch, two online workshops and a return of the Care Leavers Christmas Dinner are planned, and buildings across the city will be lit blue during the month.
Care Leavers Month in Brighton and Hove: what is on
Thursday 12 November, Jubilee Library. A Care Leavers Month celebration and book launch takes place in the Conference Hall at Brighton and Hove Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, from 4pm to 6.30pm, according to the organisers. The Brighton and Hove Care Leavers Forum opens the event by sharing its work, including Moments That Matter, a community group set up by care leavers for care leavers.
Two books are launched. Mole's Move by Dr Lisa Cherry OBE is a gentle story about Mole, who moves to a new family, exploring change, safety and belonging. In Care and Incredible by Dr Rosie Canning and Dr Dee Michell profiles 30 care-experienced people from around the world, from culture and sport to activism. Signed copies of both are on sale on the day.
Tickets are donation-only and can be booked through the organisers' ticket page, with full details on the book launch page. The organisers are also asking Brighton and Hove businesses to sponsor books so they can reach care-experienced children and young people.
Free online workshops with Become
Become, a charity that supports care-experienced children and young people, runs free sessions on Zoom through the month. Both are from 6pm to 7pm and are booked through the form on Become's pages.
Wednesday 18 November, UCAS: how to apply. Become's Propel into Education team gives an in-depth look at UCAS applications, with guidance specific to care-experienced students and space for their questions.
Wednesday 25 November, Wellbeing at university. The session covers managing stress, finding wellbeing, counselling and academic support at university, student networks, and the grants and bursaries open to care-experienced students.
For an urgent question about rights and entitlements, Become's Care Advice Service takes calls on 0800 023 2033, emails at advice@becomecharity.org.uk and WhatsApp messages on 0786 003 4982.
Free bus travel for care leavers: the pilot in numbers
The council launched a three-month pilot of free bus travel for care leavers in September, to help them reach work, training, healthcare and appointments and stay connected to friends, family and the wider community.
Participants made an average of 9 to 10 journeys a week, and the council says they reported that the scheme helped them save money, reach work and essential services, and become more independent. The council's care leavers pages also describe a free monthly bus pass for care leavers aged 18 to 24.
What support care leavers can get
The council's local offer covers wellbeing, education and employment, accommodation, relationships and finances. Its commitments include helping young people prepare for independent living and supporting them into their own tenancy.
Every care leaver is offered a Personal Adviser, who should see them about every two months, and the council says the pathway plan is reviewed at least every six months. Under the support for 18 to 25 year olds, care leavers also get a Listen Up card for free use of council leisure facilities across the city.
In general, a young person can get support if they were in care on or after their 16th birthday, spent at least 13 weeks in care since their 14th birthday, and did not return to a parent's care in a planned way for six months or more before turning 18. Anyone unsure whether they qualify can speak to their Social Worker, and care leavers or young people about to leave care are asked to speak to their Personal Adviser or Social Worker about the Leaving Care service.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of the Council, said:
"This Care Leavers Month we're recognising the uniqueness, strength, resilience and achievements of our care leavers across Brighton and Hove. We know the transition from growing up in care to independent living can be a difficult period, with housing, mental health, education, work and managing money all posing challenges for care leavers."
"We want Brighton & Hove to be somewhere care-experienced young people feel valued, included and hopeful about their future. That means listening to their experiences, involving them in decisions and ensuring their voices shape our services."
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council
Being a care leaver has been recognised by the council as a protected characteristic since 2023, which means its policies and decisions are meant to consider the impact on children in care and care leavers. The Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum meet regularly to give care-experienced young people a safe space to meet and share their views with social services.
The Care Leavers Christmas Dinner returns
The Brighton and Hove Care Leavers Christmas Dinner is being organised by a local group of care-experienced people, volunteers and supporters. It comes back for Christmas Day 2026 for the first time in seven years, as ImJustBrighton reported in its earlier article on the dinner.
The team says it wants the day to include a festive meal, gifts, activities and companionship for young care leavers across the city, and is raising money through a fundraiser. Donations and fundraising pages are on the Care Leavers Christmas Dinner website.
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