How to contact us for advice
We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.
Most of us have somebody we can turn to for practical and emotional support – family, friends, neighbours.
This is often not the case for children in care and those leaving care.
Those important relationships are often broken when they enter the care system. Many are separated from their siblings, have to change school, or move far away from family and friends.
Children and young people can be left isolated and alone. A lack of positive relationships increases the likelihood that they experience difficulties in life – such as poor mental health, a tougher time at school, unemployment and homelessness.
37%
of children in care who have siblings are separated from them (Children's Commissioner for England)
18 miles
The average distance a child in care in England is living away from their family and friends (#GoneTooFar Become)
25%
of homeless people are care experienced (Crisis)
10x
more likely that care leavers are not in education, employment or training at 21, compared to peers (The Rees Centre)
We know that if positive caring relationships can be built and strengthened, then it increases the likelihood of care experienced young people thriving in adulthood.
Lifelong Links is an innovative approach, developed by Family Rights Group, working to make sure every child in care and every care leaver is connected to people who care about them – for life.
A trained coordinator works with children and young people to find and safely connect with relatives and others they want to reach out to. From brothers and sisters, to school friends, former foster carers to teachers, and even pets.
Research shows Lifelong Links leads to a stronger sense of identity for the child or young person, more stability in their living arrangements, better mental health, and more positive relationships they can rely on.
Lifelong Links is currently available in 32 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. Over 2300 children and young people have benefited.
Use our campaign tool below to send a message to your elected representatives. Start by entering your postcode.
Suggested messages to post:
Lifelong Links ensures care-experienced young people have strong, supportive relationships. That’s why I’m supporting @FamilyRightsGp’s #BuildNotBreak campaign, which is calling for all children in care to be offered Lifelong Links. https://frg.eaction.org.uk/buildnotbreak
We all need people to turn to. But all too often, young people leave the care system without strong, loving support networks. This is why I’m backing @FamilyRightsGp’s #BuildNotBreak campaign to put relationships front and centre. https://frg.eaction.org.uk/buildnotbreak
Download our full resource pack including graphics and suggested messages for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Your donation will help more families access expert legal advice and support from Family Rights Group.
Donate Now
