Family Rights Group's congratulate its Chief Executive, Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦 OBE, on her appointment to the House of Lords. Cathy has been Chief Executive of the charity for 22 years, and her ennoblement recognises her tireless work and advocacy on behalf of children and families.

Too many children in care are moved miles away from the people & places that matter to them. Become's new report looks at how distance moves increase isolation & risk, echoing what we hear from young people benefiting from our Lifelong Links approach. Full report: https://ow.ly/wJmm50ZnGPo

“I feel truly fortunate to be part of the Family Rights Group community. This experience has been really positive and unlike anything I’ve encountered before.” - Principal Practice Lead Discover our Network membership options: https://ow.ly/qmG050Y3J25🔗

Ofsted is changing how it inspects children's services. This week our parents’ panel were one of the first groups to share their experience with Ofsted & discuss how the inspection framework should be overhauled. https://ow.ly/Kw2E50Zm0Ac

Lifelong Links is a game-changing approach to ensure that children in care have lasting relationships they can depend on. An integral part of the process is our online app, Circles, which helps to guide conversations with a child about their support network: https://ow.ly/lrbu50Zjc6q

NEW REPORT: Children with special educational needs and disabilities in kinship care are being let down by two complex systems at once. "Fighting Two Battles" — a new report from the APPG on Kinship Care, supported by @familyrightsgp.bsky.social 🧵

Ofsted praises Norfolk County Council re positive impact of Lifelong Links. “Lifelong Links workers support care leavers to strengthen their relationships by reconnecting with significant individuals from their past. This work helps reduce social isolation and improves emotional wellbeing."

This week, help and support for kinship carers was significantly improved as two important elements of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act came into force. We are proud to have worked with families and young people to inform and influence the legislation to make it stronger.

Lifelong Links is a game-changing approach to ensure that children in care have lasting relationships they can depend on. An integral part of the process is our online app, Circles, which helps to guide conversations with a child about their support network: https://ow.ly/lrbu50Zjc6q

Ofsted praises Southwark Council children’s services for the effective use of family group conferences to help identify strengths & wider support within family networks and sustain important relationships. Find out more about family group conferences: https://frg.org.uk/family-group-conferences/

“You need someone in your corner, cheering you on” Lifelong Links connects children in care, or care leavers, with people who care about them. And in this video clip, Bayley, a young person from our advisory group, sums up perfectly why Lifelong Links is needed. https://ow.ly/oxTC50ZfOPO

Why are family group conferences important? In this short video, Kitty and Ellie, two young people we have worked with, explain. If your local authority wants to set up, expand or extend a family group conference service, we can help: https://ow.ly/eQKh50ZfzNV

"A recent Ofsted visit to Barking and Dagenham council highlights the benefits of Lifelong Links. To date, over 4,000 children and young people have benefited from Lifelong Links. Want to know more? Go to: https://frg.org.uk/lifelong-links/

Can you spare a moment to nominate us to receive £5,000? Please nominate us: movementforgood.com/draws/specia...

Ray, a member of our kinship carers’ panel, speaks for us all here at Family Rights Group, when he sends his best wishes to all those who carry out a fathering role, whatever their circumstances. Happy Father's Day!

For #LearningDisabilityWeek, we’re sharing a vlog from Kyle, a member of our parents’ panel. He talks about how difficult it can be for families to understand the words that social workers use, and why our new film is so important. Watch he full film: https://ow.ly/5joU50YyJBa#LearningDisabilityWeek

Ofsted praises Wandsworth Council's children’s services: “Lifelong Links strengthens support networks by reconnecting young people with important adults, including specific work with care leavers who are parents.” https://ow.ly/WvpV50ZbP9j #LifelongLinks #BuildNotBreak #EnduringRelationships

We all need people to turn to for practical & emotional support. Yet too often the care system breaks important relationships for children. Lifelong Links which seeks to change that - building lasting, loving relationships for children in care and care leavers: https://ow.ly/SN5m50YnVQ9

“I was not sure what I was letting myself in for” Read Ray’s blog to hear how he was supported to take part in our kinship carers’ panel and is now an active and confident contributor, helping to shape the child welfare system: https://ow.ly/A1ky50Z9RNj

Lifelong Links builds lasting, loving relationships for children in care & care leavers. It creates support networks that last into adulthood. Watch Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister speak about meeting young people who have benefited from Lifelong Links with Hertfordshire County Council.

We are taking part in the London Legal Walk today! The need for free legal help is greater than ever. Demand for Family Rights Group’s advice service is high, but due to funding constraints we can currently only answer four in ten callers. Can you sponsor us? https://ow.ly/opfp50Z8Uph Many thanks!

Coventry City Council is one of 7 local authorities who took part in a Lifelong Links trial in 2017, having been graded Inadequate by Ofsted. Since then, they have worked to implement, embed & sustain their Lifelong Links service, and this year were graded Outstanding! https://ow.ly/zXQn50Z77eG

Big news for children in care. The Government has announced £8.4 million to help children in care build lifelong, loving relationships — our Lifelong Links approach is central to that mission.

After taking on the care of her great nephew Adelaide realised she had more to offer, and began a volunteering journey that brought connection, confidence and a feeling of being seen: https://ow.ly/WTsc50Z71TM #VolunteersWeek

This week we’re announcing two important appointments. Sir Andrew McFarlane joins as a new Patron following his retirement as President of the Family Division. @angelafrazerwicks.bsky.social steps down from our Board to become our first ever Ambassador. ow.ly/LAJa50Z642r

How are people with experience of the child welfare system making a real difference for others? Watch as Kristy, a member of our parents panel, shares what being a member of our parents’ panel means to her. Watch the video: https://ow.ly/cyxv50Z6ihn #VolunteersWeek #Participation #LivedExperience

Please sponsor us! The need for free legal help is greater than ever. Demand for Family Rights Group’s advice service is high, but due to funding constraints we can currently only answer four in ten callers: https://ow.ly/92pv50Z54Um Thank you!

Last week, our Chief Executive Cathy Ashley 🇺🇦 spoke about Lifelong Links to the APPG for Care-Experienced Children & Young People, on how the care system can protect and support children's relationships. With Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families, Goal17, and Barnardo's.

“I am not just the hardest chapters of my life.” Kristy, a member of our parents’ panel shares a powerful story of loss, stigma, and finding strength. A moving reminder of why lived experience must be heard. 💜 https://ow.ly/ka5050Z4Eme

Families have said that the family group conference process was the first time they felt involved and included in decision making about their own family. It is a voluntary process and families cannot be forced into one. 👉 https://ow.ly/hl2O50UIiIG

Are you a family group conference or Lifelong Links practitioner who wants to keep on top of the latest sector news and legislative changes, while learning from other professionals? Join our FGC and Lifelong Links Network: https://ow.ly/WZIu50Y9rOT

How can Lifelong Links support care experienced prison leavers? Lifelong Links connects children in care, or care leavers, with people who care about them. The aim of Lifelong Links is to ensure that a child in care, or a care leaver, has a positive, loving support network that they can rely on.⬇️

'The social worker who made a difference to me.' Angela, a member of our parents' panel talks about how a family support worker helped her through an overwhelming time after the birth of her son.

“…they know that you’re still here, if ever there’s somebody that they want to talk to.” Week 2 of Foster Care Fortnight: today we share this clip of foster carers Carol and Norman, after being reconnected with a young person, through Lifelong Links. #FCF26 #FosterCareFortnight2026 #LifelongLinks

Lifelong Links connects children in care, or care leavers, with people who care about them. An independent evaluation found that young people who had taken part in Lifelong Links experienced a 'significant improvement in their mental health and wellbeing'. https://ow.ly/JUji50YYXFv #BuildNotBreak

In the latest edition of Seen and Heard Journal, our legal adviser, Frances Edwards discusses what is known about the families of children deprived of their liberty, & the implications of them being overlooked in shaping policy & service design. Seen and Heard: https://ow.ly/SQRe50YYLzT

“I’m using the voice that was once filled with shame and embarrassment, fear and anxiety to empower those that come after me.” We are privileged to share this powerful and moving new blog from Brooklynn Reid, a member of our parents’ panel: https://ow.ly/6Fze50YYlPL #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

“It made me feel better, knowing I had more family than just my little bubble.” 💛 For #FosterCareFortnight, meet Parice and her foster carer Nicky and see how #LifelongLinks connects children in care to people who care about them. https://youtu.be/Gm5OWgYsJ5o#FosterCareFortnight📽️ #FCF26

“I feel truly fortunate to be part of the Family Rights Group community. This experience has been really positive and unlike anything I’ve encountered before.” - Principal Practice Lead Discover our Network membership options: https://ow.ly/qmG050Y3J25🔗

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has now become law. After working with families and young people to inform the legislation, we’re proud of four policy wins that will strengthen support and help families stay together. https://ow.ly/P7xN50YSlUf

“Our voices are our superpower.” 💬 We’re closing our participation series with Ellie, who shares why young people’s voices matter and why participation is important. We want more young people to shape our work and influence the child welfare and family justice system. Watch this space! 👀

Huge congratulations to Rachael Cassidy on completing the TCS London Marathon 🏁 An amazing achievement in support of Family Rights Group. Thank you to everyone who has already donated. If you’ve been cheering her on and haven’t donated yet, there’s still time: https://ow.ly/WXBO50YQZJS

We were pleased to see this blog by our parents' panel member, Azariah. She reflects on the power of family group conferences to prevent escalation, rebuild relationships, and keep children safely connected to their families. foundations.org.uk/the-power-of... #FGCs @foundationsww.bsky.social

Today is the day! 🏃‍♀️ Rachael is taking on the London Marathon. She is running to help ensure that children can live safely & thrive in their family, and that children in the care system have loving relationships to turn to throughout life. Support Rachael: https://ow.ly/zaWe50YOGml 🔗

With only two days to go, things are getting real for our wonderful marathon runner, Rachael Cassidy. We are so grateful to Rachael for choosing to run to raise funds for us. Can you help her get closer to her fundraising target? Sponsor Rachael: https://ow.ly/GPZH50YOES5 Thank you!

Ofsted praises Wigan Council children’s services for the routine and effective use of family group conferences to help strengthen the support network around a child. Find out more about family group conferences: https://ow.ly/qJBO50YOpoj

'Improving children’s lives: Holding on to what matters during the technology revolution' Now available to watch - the thought-provoking 2026 Bridget Lindley Memorial Lecture, given by Lisa Harker, Director of Nuffield Family Justice Observatory . https://ow.ly/zK1X50YMshM

Young people with experience of the child welfare system are shaping real change at Family Rights Group. Their voices strengthen practice and influence policy. Read Lottie's blog: https://ow.ly/GH9o50YKl6X

Family Rights Group hears from thousands of parents each year navigating the child protection system. In @community-care.bsky.social Ruth shares her story, and talks with our Advice & Advocacy Service Manager on the fear, stress & powerlessness families face.

Meet Lottie, our Young People’s Participation Officer. 🎥 Young people aged 18–25 with experience of children’s services, kinship care or the system shape our campaigns, resources and influence policy locally & nationally. Their voices drive change. ▶️ #CareExperiencedHistoryMonth #Participation