CLNM peer evaluation celebrates the difference young people are making

Posted 3rd November 2026

The latest Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM) Peer Evaluation highlights the positive difference young people can make when they are given the opportunity to share their experiences, influence decisions and help shape the services designed to support them. 

Presented by CLNM representatives at their annual conference, the 2026 evaluation highlights the positive impact of being part of the movement, from developing confidence and new skills to building friendships, improving wellbeing and influencing meaningful change for other young people. 

What makes the evaluation particularly impactful is that it was designed, conducted and analysed by CLNM representatives themselves, who were trained as peer researchers. By gathering the views and experiences of fellow representatives, alumni and Local House Project staff, young people have been able to demonstrate the impact of CLNM in their own words and identify opportunities to make things even better. 

One of the strongest findings is the difference CLNM makes to young people's confidence. An impressive 89% of representatives and alumni said that being part of CLNM had increased their confidence, with many describing how opportunities to speak publicly, share their experiences and contribute to important discussions had helped them grow. Almost everyone who took part in the evaluation (97%) rated their overall experience as good or very good. 

Alongside developing confidence and practical skills, CLNM provides something equally important: friendship, connection and a sense of belonging. The evaluation found that 91% of young people felt that being a representative had made them part of a community. Opportunities to meet others with shared experiences, attend residentials and travel to new places help young people build relationships, support one another and recognise that they are not alone. 

The impact of CLNM reaches far beyond the individual experiences of its representatives. Young people are also helping to influence decisions and make meaningful changes for others. An impressive 94% said they had helped make meaningful changes to other people's lives, while 89% said their role had given them a stronger sense that they could influence things that mattered to them. Furthermore, 86% felt listened to by the National House Project. 

Whilst there is much to celebrate, we recognise that there is always more we can do to build on the work we have achieved together. That is why we have jointly identified recommendations that focus on developing CLNM further, strengthening how we communicate its impact, and continuing to work closely with Local House Projects to support CLNM Reps. 

The National House Project is incredibly proud of the work of CLNM representatives and the positive impact they continue to make. They have valuable knowledge, experiences and ideas that can help shape better services and brighter futures for others. The 2026 peer evaluation is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when young people are given the opportunity, encouragement and platform to lead. You can read our Full Peer Evaluation Report here.