{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67b0f0635bd6cff3009dccc3/6a2eee02685069f99fad92e5?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Adulting After Care: Who Has Your Back? with Josh MacAlister MP & Cathy Ashley from Family Rights Group","description":"<p>In this episode we’re talking about what life looks like for young people leaving care and navigating adulthood, often without the safety nets many of us take for granted.</p><p>After being invited to the Department for Education to learn about the government’s new Enduring Relationships Programme, I wanted to find out more about what happens when you leave the care system at 18 and how do you cope with adulting when you’re doing so much of it alone.</p><p><br></p><p>I speak to care leavers Hannah and Mackenzie about their experiences of leaving care and how programmes like Lifelong Links have helped them reconnect with important people in their lives.</p><p><br></p><p>You’ll also hear from Josh MacAlister, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, and Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group, about why long-term relationships, stable housing and practical support matter so much for care experienced young people.</p><p><br></p><p>It’s honest, it’s emotional and it’s very eye-opening.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>✨ <strong>In this episode, we chat about:</strong></p><ul><li>What it’s like to leave care at 18</li><li>How Lifelong Links helps care leavers reconnect with family and friends</li><li>The government’s new Enduring Relationships Programme</li><li>Why relationships and practical support both matter for long-term outcomes</li></ul><p><br></p><p>💬 <strong>About Lifelong Links &amp; Family Rights Group</strong></p><p><strong>Lifelong Links</strong> is a family finding programme developed by <strong>Family Rights Group</strong>. It helps children in care and care leavers build lasting support networks by reconnecting them with relatives, friends, neighbours, teachers and other trusted adults who can offer lifelong support.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Family Rights Group</strong> is a charity working to improve the lives of children who live in or are at risk of entering the care system by helping families stay safely connected wherever possible. Website: <a href=\"https://frg.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://frg.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p>Here are some other useful support &amp; resources for care experienced young people:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Become (charity for children in care and care leavers)</strong></p><p>Support, advice and campaigning for children in care and young care leavers.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.becomecharity.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Care Leaver Covenant</strong></p><p>A national organisation providing opportunities, discounts and practical help for care leavers.</p><p><a href=\"https://mycovenant.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://mycovenant.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Drive Forward Foundation</strong></p><p>Employment support, coaching and opportunities for care experienced young people.</p><p><a href=\"https://driveforwardfoundation.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://driveforwardfoundation.org</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Barnardo’s</strong></p><p>Support services for children, young people and care leavers across the UK.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.barnardos.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.barnardos.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Information from Department for Education&nbsp;</strong></p><p>About review into deaths of care leavers&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-examine-deaths-of-vulnerable-care-leavers\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-examine-deaths-of-vulnerable-care-leavers</a>\\</p><p><br></p><p>About Enduring Relationships programme&nbsp;</p><p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Centrepoint</strong></p><p>Support for young people facing homelessness or housing insecurity.</p><p><a href=\"https://centrepoint.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://centrepoint.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Shelter</strong></p><p>Housing advice and homelessness support.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.shelter.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.shelter.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Mind</strong></p><p>Mental health support and information.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.mind.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.mind.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>YoungMinds</strong></p><p>Mental health resources for young people.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.youngminds.org.uk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youngminds.org.uk</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>📲 Want to get involved?</strong></p><p>Got a <em>Quarter Life Question</em> you’d love to hear answered on the pod?</p><p>Slide into my DMs over on <strong>Instagram </strong><a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/gracemcintosh1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>@gracemcintosh1</strong></a> or TikTok&nbsp; <a href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@gracemcintosh_?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@gracemcintosh_ </a>&nbsp;- I’d love to hear from you. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>⭐ Enjoying the podcast?</strong></p><p>Please leave a 5-star review - it really helps more people find us and keeps the QLQ conversation going.</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks so much for listening - and see you next week!</p><p>Grace x</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Grace McIntosh"}