Enduring Relationships

Family Rights Group is leading the national enduring relationships programme for children in care. 

We have been appointed by the Government to lead an eighteen month ‘national sprint’ to support enduring relationships for children and young people in care and care leavers.  

We all need people to turn to for belonging, support and celebrating life’s wins. But the care system too often breaks the relationships children need most. Moving home or school, particularly when it takes a child far from family and friends, can lead to more relationships being lost. This can leave young people in care isolated when support matters most. 

From October 2026, we will work with local authorities to set up and establish Lifelong Links services to help children and young people build and maintain relationships with important people in their lives. 

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

Lifelong Links is an innovative approach developed by Family Rights Group. It connects children in care and care leavers with relatives, friends, trusted adults, former carers, teachers and other important people in their lives. Its aim is to help children in care and care leavers to build a positive, loving support network that they can rely on. 

Since Lifelong Links launched in 2017, more than 5,300 young people have benefited. Forty-two local authorities in England already offer Lifelong Links. 

The Enduring Relationships programme is an opportunity to make this support available to more young people across England and put lasting relationships at the heart of the care system. 

Watch the video to find out how the Enduring Relationships programme will work 

Local authorities: register your interest in the Enduring Relationships programme 

Register your interest to attend the launch event and receive information on how you can be involved and updates about the programme. 

Last updated: October 2026