Our campaigns for children
We campaign alongside young people so they can overcome the toughest challenges of modern life and face their futures with hope and confidence.
We're fighting so young people can get mental health advice when they need it. So that families are properly protected through the cost of living crisis, and so that child refugees arriving in the UK alone have a trusted adult looking out for them.
Our current campaigns to help children
Right now, too many teenagers are struggling unnoticed. They’re at crisis point. It’s up to all of us to turn the tide and build the future young people need.
We are campaigning for all care leavers to be exempt from council tax – relieving a huge burden as they begin their adult lives.
Help us protect children through the cost of living crisis
Right now, hundreds of thousands of young people need mental health support. Many are left on waiting lists while their mental health gets worse.
Helps us get early mental health support for young people
And for young refugees arriving in the UK alone, life isn't easy. Many don't have anyone by their side through the complicated and often re-traumatising asylum process.
Help protect children from abuse
Our award-winning #LookCloser campaign teaches everyone to learn the signs of exploitation and how to report it. Together we can stop this abuse from happening.
The change we make
We drive change at a local and national level. We influence national legislation and make sure local councils look after those who have it toughest in their communities.
Sometimes it takes years to create change. But we keep going. With our amazing campaigners and supporters, we have made a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
Campaigns that make a difference
Thanks to our campaigners, we've made huge changes for children across the UK. Free schools meals, affordable uniforms, financial support for families in crisis. We won't stop until we've built a society for all children.
Become a part of the change we make
Over the years, our campaigns have created a lot of positive change for young people. From making sure low income families get free school meals to introducing compulsory sex and health education in secondary schools. But we can't stop. More needs to be done. Only with your support can we create a society built for all children.
Keep fighting
Help us make a difference
Sign up for the campaigning newsletter and become a part of the change we make.
Get the latest on our new campaigns, hear about the latest issues facing young people, and make sure you never miss a chance to lend your support.
Our previous campaigns
We campaigned for all care leavers to be exempt from council tax, relieving a huge burden as they begin their adult lives.
Read about a fairer start for care leavers
A fairer start for care leavers
For young people, growing up can be exciting – but it can be daunting, too, to be suddenly faced with paying for rent, bills, and food and dealing with new challenges. For care leavers, this transition into adulthood can be even more difficult. They have already dealt with so much and often lack the support networks that many of us take for granted. That’s why we campaigned for care leavers to be exempt from council tax – relieving a huge burden as they begin their adult lives. Together, we helped secure exemptions for care leavers across Scotland and Wales, and in 78% of councils in England.
Why is a council tax exemption important?
In 2015, we conducted research with a group of young care leavers, who told us that council tax was a serious issue for them. Falling behind on council tax bills can quickly lead to debt. All too often, this escalates into letters from the council and the threat of bailiffs and court summons.
Councils have a legal responsibility for young people who have been in their care until they turn 25. This means the council must act in the best interests of young care leavers and their physical and mental health. But burdening care leavers with hefty council tax bills as they navigate the transition to independent living puts them at risk.
In 2023, with the added pressure of the cost of living crisis, we launched a new phase of the campaign to put pressure on all councils in England to introduce a full exemption for care leavers up to the age of 25. With the prices of essentials rising and bills increasing across the board, over 2,300 of you emailed your local councillors to call for a council tax exemption for care leavers.
Care leaver stats
1 in 4
young people leaving care had faced a mental health crisis since leaving care
25%
of the homeless population are estimated to have been in care
The reality of leaving care
For care leavers, the transition into adulthood can be difficult. Fatima campaigned for her council to exempt care leavers from paying council tax, and called for all councils to do the same.
Read more about the campaign from Fatima, care leaver and campaigner
The change we’ve made
We campaigned on this issue since 2016, calling for care leavers to be exempt from paying council tax until they turn 25. Together with supporters like you, we’ve made this a reality in Scotland and Wales, where it is national policy. By May 2024, 249 local authorities in England had made the change too. That’s 78% of all councils in England.
Thank you for supporting this campaign. You’ve helped to transform the lives of thousands of young care leavers across the country.
Resources for councils
If you are a councillor in an area of England that does not yet offer a council tax exemption to care leavers, please use the below resources.
