Equal opportunities and equal rights for care leavers

The Competence Center for Leaving Care

The Competence Center for Leaving Care (Kompetenzzentrum Leaving Care, KLC) is the national hub for issues related to Leaving Care and is part of the YOUVITA branch association. The centre has been advocating for equal opportunities and equal rights for anyone leaving the care system all over Switzerland since 2019. Care leavers are young people making the challenging transition from a placement in an out-of-home accommodation to an independent life where they are responsible for themselves. The KLC activities are in four areas: knowledge generation, knowledge transfer, advocacy, and support. 

During the consolidation phase (2023-2026), the KLC cemented its role as a key national hub, elevating the topic on political, professional and public agendas. It built a nationwide community, shared practical expertise, and played a decisive role in shaping the political and professional conversation around care leaver challenges, including across French-speaking Switzerland.

During its expansion phase (2027-2030), the KLC will enhance educational opportunities for care leavers, broaden its reach in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland, and highlight the social impact of support services through a comprehensive study. Partnering with the Careleaver Association of Switzerland (Verein Careleaver Schweiz), it will also champion self-advocacy for care leavers, ultimately helping to drive lasting, nationwide improvements in the conditions that foster successful transitions to adulthood.

Careleaver Association of Switzerland

The Careleaver Association of Switzerland was founded and is managed by former foster children, who are also known as care leavers. The association operates at a national level and supports regional 'care leaver networks' (which then provide services to care leavers). The credo "By care leavers for care leavers" forms the basis of its approach, which means that the Careleaver Association of Switzerland is committed to supporting all care leavers who are making the transition to becoming independent.

The national association is committed to supporting care leavers as described below:

• Lobbying & public relations work from the perspective of those affected
• Access to information
• Contact point for emergencies

Establishment of regional networks

The regional care leaver networks support care leavers during their transition into an independent life. This is achieved by offering the individuals in question suitable services, infrastructure, and facilities. The coordination centre is an extremely important starting point here as it provides referrals and support to the relevant support centre. The network coordinator informs the regional institutions about the network's services. The network organises regional care leaver meetings for young care leavers starting at the age of 16. At these meetings, (former) children in care and foster children who have also experienced the "Leaving Care" phase and others who are still in the process of leaving have the opportunity to network and support each other.

Setting up regional networks is central to ensuring that care leavers all over Switzerland are provided with the support they need. The networks that currently exist in the regions of Aargau, Bern, Basel, Solothurn, Zurich, and Central Switzerland are available to care leavers as important drop-in centres and play a crucial role in supporting and promoting the community of everyone concerned.