Labour Party Conference 2026

The Relationship Revolution — Transforming children’s social care to build lasting, loving relationships

Imagine a children’s care system where every child in care and every care leaver has people around them who know them, love them and stand by them. Where brothers and sisters can stay connected. Where young people have the support and relationships they need to thrive into adulthood. That future is within reach. Join us and help turn ambition into reality.

“Before Lifelong Links I was alone in the world” – Luke, age 22

We all need people to turn to throughout life – for belonging, for advice and support, for celebrating our wins and for when things are tough. But often that’s not the reality of life for children in care and those leaving care.

Too often, the care system disrupts the very relationships young people need most. Many children are moved far from family and friends, and each move between foster homes, children’s homes or schools can mean more relationships are lost. The result is that too many young people are left isolated, just when connection matters most.

But our ambition, for every child in care and care leaver to have people around them who know and love them, is now in reach.

This year, the law was changed to give children in care the right to contact with their brothers and sisters.

The Government also published the very first enduring relationships strategy, backed by new investment, with a commitment to put relationships at the heart of the care system.

This is a moment of real opportunity. The law has changed, new national commitments have been made, and momentum is building for a care system that puts relationships at its heart.

We will be joined by Bobbie and Luke, young adults with experience of the care system who have benefited from Lifelong Links. We have also invited Children’s Minister, Josh MacAlister MP.

Lifelong Links is an innovative approach, developed by Family Rights Group, to help children in care and care leavers reconnect with people who matter to them. It’s a bit like the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? and ITV’s Long Lost Family, for young people with experience of care.

More than 5,300 young people have already been supported by Lifelong Links to build lasting, loving relationships. Our ambition is for Lifelong Links to be offered to every child in care and care leaver, so every young person has people to turn to.

There is now a real opportunity to make that happen.

Join us and help turn this moment of opportunity into lasting change for children in care and care leavers.