The UK government is injecting £8.4 million into expanding family finding programs, a crucial initiative designed to help children in care and care leavers build and maintain vital relationships. This investment aims to foster stability and a stronger sense of identity for young people who have experienced the care system, by enabling them to reconnect with relatives, former carers, teachers, and other significant individuals.
Building Lifelong Connections
The expanded programs will operate on a 'Who Do You Think You Are' style service, empowering care-experienced children and young people to identify and connect with the adults who have played important roles in their lives. Specially trained coordinators will guide these young individuals through the process of locating and establishing contact with these key figures. The goal is not only to bolster their support networks but also to deepen their sense of belonging and understanding of their personal history. This initiative is a cornerstone of the government's broader reform agenda for children's social care, which seeks to shift the focus from crisis intervention towards strengthening families and ensuring stable, lasting relationships for children.
A Shift Towards Stable Relationships
This new funding is part of the wider Enduring Relationships programme, published today, which underscores a commitment to ensuring that children in care can build and sustain connections throughout their lives. The reforms advocate for placing relationships at the heart of decision-making within children's social care. This includes strengthening family group decision-making processes, supporting safe reunification where appropriate, and increasing the use of Family Network Support Packages. These packages are designed to help children remain connected to their wider family networks, even when they are in care.
The Department for Education and Josh MacAlister OBE MP have been instrumental in championing this expansion. The investment comes at a critical time, as statistics reveal that over 81,000 children were in care as of March 2025. Many of these children experience instability, with one in ten moving home three or more times in a single year, and over a fifth living more than 20 miles away from their home communities. Evidence consistently shows that care-experienced young people face poorer outcomes later in life, including higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, and mental ill health. The government's strategy aims to mitigate these risks by providing a more secure and supportive environment through these enduring relationships.
Broader Reforms in Children's Social Care
Beyond the family finding programs, the government is undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of children's social care. This includes a commitment to creating 10,000 new foster care places within the current parliamentary term. Furthermore, a significant £2.4 billion investment is being directed towards the Families First Partnership programme, with the objective of keeping vulnerable families together whenever possible. A new financial allowance pilot for kinship carers is also being introduced, offering additional support to those who provide care for family members. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act has also been amended to extend 'Staying Close' support to all care leavers in England, ensuring they continue to receive assistance with crucial aspects of life, such as housing, health, and employment, up to the age of 25.
The expansion of family finding programs is expected to yield tangible benefits by fostering a greater sense of security and identity among children in care. The government hopes that by strengthening these connections, they can contribute to better long-term outcomes for care-experienced young people, equipping them with a more robust support system as they transition into adulthood. The ultimate aim is to ensure that no child in care feels truly alone, and that they have a network of trusted adults to rely on throughout their lives.