From Care to Independence
The Prince’s Trust supports nearly 4,000 young people across England who have been in care. These young people face some of the biggest challenges when progressing into adulthood and independence.
From Care to Independence is a five-year research project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, and delivered by The Prince’s Trust. As part of From Care to Independence, the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been conducting research predominantly with young people and Programme Executives on the Fairbridge programme, delivered by The Prince’s Trust.
Between 2012 and 2017, research was undertaken into:
- The role that The Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme plays in helping care leavers to develop the confidence and skills needed to engage with services and wider opportunities
- How this support functions alongside other sources, and how it can be best delivered
The findings of this research will inform how care leavers are supported on Prince’s Trust programmes, as well as being a resource for other practitioners working with care leavers.

Read our five-year report in partnership with NCB, the Young Researchers Report and our work with Access All Areas.
Find out more

Matt, 21 from Gloucester, endured a troubled childhood and was moved into foster care when he was 15.
Read his story
If you are a care leaver or are supporting care leavers and need additional help, the following organisations may be able to help you:
- Catch22
- The Care Leavers' Foundation
- The Care Leavers' Association
- New Horizon
- Shelter
- The Who Cares? Trust
- NSPCC
- Barnardos