Building Strong Networks
Relationships aren’t only about family. Friends, mentors, trusted adults and community connections can be just as important in your life.
Your Personal Adviser (PA) can help you build new networks through:
- youth forums
- volunteering
- sports and activities
- community projects
- the Care Leavers Forum
If friendships or relationships break down, we will make sure you have someone to talk to and can get the support you need.
Family Network Meetings
We can support you to have a Family Network Meeting. This is a meeting where the people who are important to you — such as family, carers, friends or trusted adults — come together to make a support plan that works for you.
A Family Network Meeting helps you and your network:
- talk about what’s going well
- look at what could be better
- agree how everyone can support you
- make things easier in your day‑to‑day life
The meeting is led by someone independent (not your social worker). You and your network get time to create a plan that might include:
- who you can call when you feel lonely or isolated
- who you can rely on for practical help (for example, sorting out a broken boiler)
Once the plan is agreed, it is shared with you, your Social Worker or PA, and anyone else who is important.
Caring Connections
We also work with Caring Connections, which helps you link with:
- supportive or trusted adults
- mentors
- extended family members
- professionals who have supported you before (such as a former teacher, teaching assistant or key worker)
These adults can play a positive and stable role in your life.
Peer Support from Other Care Leavers
You can also meet other care‑experienced young people through:
- local groups and activities at The Journey
- national networks such as Become Charity and Coram Voice’s Voices Project
Become Charity
Become is a national charity supporting children in care and care leavers. They offer:
- a free, confidential Care Advice Line
- practical help with education, housing, money and rights
- workshops, coaching and training to build confidence and independence
Visit the Become Charity website
Coram Voice
Coram Voice supports children in care and care leavers to have their voices heard. They offer:
- advocacy, helping you share your views in meetings and decisions
- the Always Heard helpline, a free service if you don’t have an advocate or need urgent help
If you’d like more information about any of these options, speak to your Personal Adviser (PA). They can explain how the meetings work and make a referral for you.
