Care Leavers

We recently published the Enduring Relationships Strategy, which explains why enduring relationships matter; how we are going to change the care and leaving care systems to prioritise them; and how we will work with the sector to ensure they become the golden thread that runs through every child’s life.

The strategy will align our national care reforms to focus practice on enduring relationships; create homes for enduring relationships; support the transition to early adulthood and ensure that inspection and accountability guide the system towards prioritising enduring relationships.

The strategy is not asking local authorities to do more, but to work differently and use existing resources more effectively to keep children connected to the people who matter most. In addition, we have announced a national sprint to roll-out Family Finding services, which support children and young people in care to reconnect with loved ones.

The strategy sets out the government's strategy for ensuring that all children who experience care maintain and build the enduring relationships that will support them through life. Enduring relationships provide children with emotional security, trust and warmth through consistent and dependable connections.

As set out in the strategy, research shows that stable, high-quality relationships can shield vulnerable young people from physical, social and psychological risks while significantly improving their long-term economic and educational chances of success. Enduring relationships foster the resilience and competence required for vulnerable young people to transition successfully into adulthood. Crucially, continuity in stable and dependable support is key to sustaining wellbeing and protecting against the negative consequences of unstable or short-lived relationships.