By Purity Njoki.
A care leaver is anyone who spent time in alternative care as a child. Such care could be in foster care, institutional care (mainly Charitable Children Institutions), or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family. For many young people, turning 18 is a milestone but for those leaving care, that is not always the case. It feels more of a deadline as it marks the sudden end of the support they have known. Unlike many young people who can continue to rely on family as they transition into adulthood, care leavers may have to navigate this stage with limited support and resources. This was one of the key issues discussed during the National Care Leavers Dialogue Forum, held on 15th September, 2026 at Panari Hotel, Nairobi.
The forum was convened by the Kenya Society of Care Leavers (KESCA) and SOS Children Villages and brought together care leavers, government representatives, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to discuss the experiences and challenges facing young people as they transition out of care. Child in Family Focus – Kenya (CFFK) was represented at the dialogue, joining other stakeholders in conversations on strengthening support for care leavers.
A major concern raised was the sudden transition from structured care to independent living at 18. Many young people leave care without stable housing, financial support, identification documents, employment opportunities, mentorship or a strong support network. These gaps can make the transition into adulthood difficult and can limit their ability to pursue education, secure decent work or build stable livelihoods. Participants emphasized that leaving care should not be treated as a one-day event, but as a gradual process that requires preparation and continued support that begins while a young person is still in care and continues as they adjust to independent living.
A key proposal was the development of a structured Care Leavers Package Framework covering education and skills, employment and entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, housing, health, social protection, identification documents, mentorship and disability support. The National Council for Children’s Services representative, Stanley Harry, emphasized the need for children in care to have individual care plans and transition packages before leaving care. This allows support to be tailored to each young person’s circumstances, abilities, aspirations and needs while giving them a clearer pathway towards adulthood.
Access to identification documents was another major challenge highlighted. Without birth certificates and national identification cards, care leavers struggle to access education, employment, banking services, business opportunities and government programmes. Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacob Kahindi, committed to facilitating engagement between care leaver representatives and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to explore solutions to this challenge.
The discussion also focused on helping care leavers build sustainable livelihoods. Skills development, digital opportunities, technical training, entrepreneurship and recognition of prior learning were highlighted as important pathways from learning to earning. Participants also called for stronger mental health support and structured mentorship to help young people navigate adulthood with greater confidence and support.
An important message throughout the forum was the need for care leavers to have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives. The principle of “Nothing for us without us” called for care leavers to be involved as partners and co-creators in policies and programmes. The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy committed to recognizing care leavers as a distinct focus area in the ongoing review of the National Youth Policy.
The forum also emphasized the importance of preventing unnecessary family separation, strengthening family-based care, and preparing children for adulthood well before they leave care. Preparation for independent living should begin early and continue throughout the transition into adulthood. Support should not end when young people turn 18, but should continue to help them build stable, independent and meaningful lives.
For CFFK, the dialogue was an important opportunity to listen to care leavers and contribute to conversations on strengthening Kenya’s care reform efforts. It stressed the need for a care system that prepares young people for life beyond care and ensures that support does not end when they leave. This need for continued support, inclusion and meaningful opportunities beyond care was captured by Thomas Bosire, a care leaver and KESCA representative, who said, “When young people leave care, they should not become invisible. They should become visible, valued, included and empowered.”