Andy Munns
Wiltshire Council is working with Family Rights Group and Daybreak to implement a Lifelong Links programme into Wiltshire Council care services.
Family Rights Group is a charity that advocates for families whose children are involved with or require social care services.
Daybreak works alongside these partnering organisations and within the community to bring people together to implement a solution when facing challenging situations.
Lifelong Links aims to bring people together who can offer a young person in care support to ensure that they have a positive support network around them during their time in care and into adulthood.
The approach ensures that the young person is at the centre of the service, allowing them to identify who is important to them. Network links may include family members known and unknown to the young person and other adults such as former foster carers or teachers.
This network of people will form a lifelong support plan for the young person, which will be integrated into their care plan.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Lifelong Links will bring a positive lasting change to young people in care as it will provide them with an opportunity to build strong relationships with the people who care for them.
“One of our key priorities in our Business Plan is that we are committed to providing children with the best start in life and this programme will help those in care create lifelong relationships that they can rely on during and after their time in care.”
Debbie Burns, CEO at Daybreak, said: “We are delighted to be able to extend our work in Wiltshire from our existing Family Group Conference programme with the new Lifelong Links programme. As a charity, we see the positive difference that having a support network has on young people as they navigate their futures. We are excited to see the impact that this programme will have on those taking part.”
