One of our main goals in the Digital Transformation Team has been to update our legacy microsites onto the “Evergreen” platform. The aim here is to improve the accessibility, content and design of some of our older microsites. This should make the sites better for their audiences and for us when it comes to updating and maintaining the content and code.
Rebuilding, decommissioning and creating new microsites supports our roadmap objectives, including;
- Keep our websites running well
- Make our website better
- Work more efficiently
- Support important projects
The most recent microsite we have completely overhauled is the website for Somerset care leavers, bringing together essential advice, support and services into one clear, accessible place.
The new platform Somerset Leaving Care Local Offer is part of the council’s wider commitment to improving how young people experience support as they move into adulthood.
A clearer “Local Offer” for young people
Every local authority in England must provide a “Local Offer” for care leavers. This sets out the help and support young people are entitled to when leaving care, covering areas such as housing, education, finances, health and relationships.
The new Somerset website brings this offer to life in a more practical and user-friendly way – making it easier for young people aged 16 to 25 to understand what’s available and how to access it.
The site provides clear guidance on:
- finding somewhere to live
- managing money and accessing financial support
- education, training and employment opportunities
- health and wellbeing
- staying safe and building support networks
Supporting better outcomes for care leavers
Young people leaving care can face additional challenges, including housing instability, financial pressure and limited support networks.
By improving access to information and making support more visible, the new website plays an important role in helping young people:
- feel more confident about their next steps
- access the help they are entitled to
- build independence and resilience
What we did differently
This wasn’t just a website refresh – it was a complete rethink of how we present support to care leavers.
Designed around real user journeys, not services
Instead of structuring content around council teams or departments, we organised the site around what young people actually need at different moments in their lives.
- “Somewhere to live” instead of housing services
- “Money” instead of finance policies
- “Health and wellbeing” instead of multiple service pages
This makes it easier for young people to quickly find what matters to them, without needing to understand how the council is structured
Plain English first – with accessibility at the core
We prioritised clarity and accessibility from the start, not as an afterthought.
- content written in plain English
- structured for easy reading on mobile
- clearer headings and shorter pages
- designed with accessibility standards in mind
This helps ensure all young people — regardless of confidence, literacy levels, or device — can use the site independently.
Designed for the whole support network
The site isn’t just for young people.
We intentionally made it useful for:
- personal advisers and social workers
- carers and families
- partners and voluntary organisations
This improves consistency in how young people are supported and makes it easier for professionals to signpost accurately.
Built as a sustainable, maintainable digital product
Rather than a one-off project, the site has been designed as something that can evolve.
- clearer structure makes updates easier
- content can be maintained by service teams
- designed to adapt as services change
This ensures the Local Offer stays accurate, relevant and useful over time.
To explore the new site or share it with young people and colleagues, visit: Somerset Leaving Care Local Offer
Old website
New website
