Agenda item

The Panel received a report and presentation from Deb Loraine, Service Manager, Nigel Connah, Edge of Care Worker and Lucy Armstrong, Edge of Care Team Manager on the Lifelong Links – Family Finding programme (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Deb Lorraine, Service Manager, introduced the presentation by informing the Panel that the work aimed to ensure that all care experienced young people were supported during their time in care, through the transition into adulthood and when they left care. Lucy Armstrong, Edge of Care Team Manager provided details of the structure and training for staff in the Lifelong Links team. Nigel Connah, Edge of Care Worker informed the Panel that 25 enquiries were ongoing and some young people had declined the offer of Lifelong Links support at the present time.

It was reported that the Lifelong Links Team Leader and the Peer Mentor Coordinator had met to discuss links between the two projects and embed shared working practices.

The Edge of Care Worker presented details of a case study in which a young person had discussed with the Lifelong Links Co-ordinator that they wished to reconnect with their brother and sister.  Following preparation for the meeting, the young person met their sister and her baby son and they were able to share their previous experiences and common interests. After the meeting, the young person’s sister contacted the service to say thank you for reuniting her with her sibling which had meant a great deal to them both.  The initial meeting had led the young person to establish contact with many more people, including previous carers and social workers. The Edge of Care Worker clarified that meetings were arranged to take place either on an individual basis or by bringing all the people together at the same time and the format of the meetings was guided by the young person. The young people representing the Children in Care Council remarked that the case study was a perfect illustration of the scale of the impact of sibling relationships.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.