Transitioning out of the care system can be overwhelming, particularly for 22-year-old Hannah from Hertfordshire, who faced the unsettling prospect of losing her support network upon turning 18.

In England, reaching adulthood as a care leaver is often likened to falling off a “cliff edge,” as these young individuals lose their access to social workers and support staff who traditionally provide daily assistance and guidance during challenging times.

During her time in care, Hannah drifted away from many individuals from her past. However, she utilized a family-finding service designed for care leavers, which allowed her to reconnect with an aunt and some school friends she hadn’t seen in years.

“It’s incredibly beneficial to have a more reliable support network now. We, as young people, require this to forge genuine connections and recognize our worth,” she expressed. “The increase in deaths among care leavers is often linked to the absence of a supportive community. This initiative has enabled me to reconnect with my inner child and recall a time when my worries were fewer.”

On Thursday, the government unveiled plans to introduce a national service inspired by “Who Do You Think You Are?” specifically for care leavers. This initiative, backed by £8.4 million in funding, aims to assist these individuals in locating family members and friends they lost contact with while in care.

A dedicated coordinator will collaborate with each young person to identify significant figures in their lives and safely track them down using social care records, historical school reports, and public birth and marriage registries, facilitating their reunion along with a support plan.

In 2024, statistics revealed that one in ten children in care had moved homes three or more times within a single year, and over 20% were living more than 20 miles away from their home communities, resulting in frequent isolation and lost connections.

The government emphasized that this new family-finding initiative would prioritize building enduring relationships within the care system for the first time.

“The current care system tends to damage rather than foster relationships,” remarked Josh MacAlister, the children’s minister. He noted, “The apprehension of professionals regarding children and young people often leads to short-term decisions that disrupt relationships in the name of safety. However, this approach can leave young people vulnerable in the long run, as they lose their support networks.”

He pointed out the alarming rates of young individuals in care who pass away at a young age or face significant mental health, educational, and employment challenges. Recently released government statistics indicated that over 100 young people had died after exiting the care of social services in England within the past year, a situation MacAlister described as “a stain on our society.” He believes the new family-finding program could help reduce these tragic outcomes by ensuring care leavers have a stronger support system as they transition out of care.

“Many of the care leaver fatalities I’ve reviewed involved individuals who were extremely isolated and lonely,” he stated. “Our system often accelerates young people towards independence, yet what they truly need is interdependence.”

Family-finding initiatives are already operational in certain local authority regions, assisting care leavers in reconnecting with relatives, trusted adults, former caregivers, teachers, and friends.

The government reported that these programs have yielded positive results, with young participants establishing an average of nearly two additional meaningful relationships. More than a third managed to reconnect with immediate family members, while others rebuilt ties with former teachers, social workers, and trusted adults.

“I have advocated that every young person leaving care should have at least two individuals in their lives who genuinely care for them,” MacAlister stated. “Some expressed concern about how we could measure love. However, the lack of focus on this issue is what leaves many young people with care experience in a precarious situation, especially at the age of 18.”