Lifelong Links at the Labour Party Conference 2025

Fixing the care system so children and young people have lasting, loving relationships

At the 2025 Labour Party Conference, Family Rights Group brought together young people with experience of Lifelong Links, practitioners, leaders, and politicians for an inspiring and hopeful #BuildNotBreak panel event. The room was full – and full of energy – as care-experienced young people shared their stories and reminded all of us why lasting, loving relationships must sit at the heart of the care system.

Our expert panel

The event was chaired by our Chief Executive Cathy Ashley, who guided a conversation rooted in lived experience and the system change required. Our panel included:

• AJ and Salma, two incredible care-experienced young people
• Danny, AJ’s Lifelong Links coordinator from Coventry City Council
• Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families
• Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council
• Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive at Foundations.

Young people at the heart

AJ spoke about growing up in the care system, how he lost relationships with people who were important to him and the moment he was reunited with his grandfather through Lifelong Links. He said it was a moment that changed everything for him –  his story moved the entire room.

In the clip, AJ and Danny share how that reconnection unfolded. Their bond and humour filled the room with warmth, reminding us of the transformative power of relationships.

Salma, a care experienced young person from Tower Hamlets put the Minister for Children and Families in the hot seat asking him questions that are important to her.

In this clip Salma asks why Lifelong Links matters to him.

The impact of Lifelong Links

Cathy spoke about how Lifelong Links is already transforming lives by building loving support networks around children in care and care leavers. She highlighted our #BuildNotBreak campaign, calling on Government to extend Lifelong Links to all care experienced children and young people by 2027.

Marion shared real progress from Sefton’s – one of the 48 local authorities leading the way in embedding Lifelong Links practice within their children’s services.

Jo spoke about Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families’ work to ensure robust evidence underpins good children’s policy and practice.

Read more about the impact of Lifelong Links.

The Minister’s priorities

The Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister MP joined the discussions and spoke about the future of children’s social care. He set out a clear ambition: for “lifelong loving relationships to be the obsession of the care system.” He also emphasised the importance of supporting children to stay safely within their families whenever possible.

Help us change the child welfare system

Our #BuildNotBreak campaign is calling for all children and young people in care and care leavers to have positive, loving relationships they can rely on into adulthood.

By supporting our campaign, you can help us create a system where that becomes a reality.

March 2026