Who Do You Think You Are?-style service to help young care leavers reconnect with their ‘tribe’
Summary
The UK government is launching a new service to help young people leaving the care system reconnect with family and friends they have lost contact with. The service will provide trained coordinators to find and reunite care leavers with important people to build long-term support networks and reduce isolation after leaving care.Key Facts
- Turning 18 and leaving care in England often means losing contact with support workers and trusted adults.
- The new service will be funded with £8.4 million and inspired by the TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?" to find lost family and friends.
- Coordinators will use social care records, school reports, and public registers to locate important people in a care leaver’s life.
- In 2024, 10% of children in care moved homes three or more times in a year and over 20% lived far from their home community.
- The government hopes better relationships will reduce deaths and improve mental health and life outcomes for care leavers.
- More than 100 care leavers died in the past year in England, many of whom were isolated and lonely.
- Family-finding schemes already operate in some areas, helping care leavers gain nearly two new meaningful relationships on average.
- The government aims for every care leaver to have at least two people who care for and support them as they become independent.
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