Children’s Commissioner renews call for national council tax exemption for care leavers

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has called for a nationwide exemption from council tax for all care leavers, warning that inconsistent local policies are leaving vulnerable young people facing court summons and financial hardship.

The appeal comes as part of Dame Rachel’s statement marking Care Leavers’ Month 2025, which celebrates the resilience and achievements of care-experienced young people under the theme “Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity.”

Dame Rachel said that while progress has been made in improving outcomes for care leavers, too many still face “a cliff edge” in support when they turn 18 and for some, that includes being billed for council tax despite having little or no income.

Currently, only some local authorities offer council tax exemptions for care leavers, and arrangements are often limited to young people placed within their own boundaries. Those placed out of area can fall through the cracks, a situation Dame Rachel described as “deeply unfair.”

“Currently, not all local authorities have reciprocal arrangements for care leavers placed out of area before turning 18, this means some young people face unexpected council tax bills and court summons, simply because they moved between local authorities while in care.

She said her office has repeatedly urged the government to implement a national policy guaranteeing council tax exemption for all care leavers up to age 25, regardless of where they live.

The Commissioner also highlighted broader issues facing care leavers, including housing instability, variable financial support, and patchy access to leaving care teams. She noted that while the Setting Up Home Allowance was increased last year, the Higher Education Bursary has not kept pace with rising living costs.

Her comments follow the publication of The Children’s Plan: Vision for Care, which calls for stronger cross-government accountability in supporting care-experienced young people.

As Care Leavers’ Month begins, Dame Rachel urged policymakers to ensure the spirit of the campaign extends beyond November:

“Behind all the data and every policy decision is a young person with hopes, dreams, and ambitions. We must celebrate their strength, and remember our collective responsibility – across government, local authorities, and society as a whole – to make sure they are not entering adulthood alone.”