'I left a children's home – and was embraced by love'

"For someone who had no other support system, feeling integrated into a family unit after exiting the care system has made a profound impact."

Poppie entered the care system at the age of 10, following a rupture in her relationship with her mother. Although she initially lived with a foster family, she relocated to a residential children’s home in Hertfordshire two years later, remaining there until shortly before turning 18. With no ongoing contact with her biological relatives, Poppie did not face the transition to adulthood in isolation last year. Instead, she found stability with Brigitte Marshall, 58, and Brigitte’s son, Reuben, 24. Both were employed as support staff at Poppie’s former care home. Reuben, who served as her key worker, was instrumental in helping her prepare for and complete her GCSEs. Today, the pair assist her with medical visits and have guided her in selecting a college curriculum.

Poppie, now 18, is set to commence a health and care qualification this September, with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. "Having Brigitte and her family in my life means the world to me," she explains. Her integration into the Marshall household is so deep that she regularly joins them for social gatherings, day trips, and barbecues, referring to Brigitte affectionately as "mummy Brigitte."

This bond was facilitated by the Finding Family programme, a government-backed initiative. Under this scheme, Poppie was assigned a local council coordinator who actively encouraged and nurtured her connection with the Marshall family. However, Poppie’s experience is not the norm for all care leavers. The transition out of the system is often termed a "cliff edge," a moment where professional support can vanish abruptly.

"It was terrifying to think she would be entirely alone once she left care," Brigitte reflected. "While leaving care typically provides assistance with housing, finances, and education, those practicalities are not enough. What I wanted most was for her to feel valued, loved, and supported."

Although Brigitte is a mother of four, she considers Poppie a member of her own family.

'I've got my family back'

Mackenzie, 20, is another beneficiary of the programme, which has operated as a pilot since 2023. After his mother passed away and his relationship with his father deteriorated, Mackenzie spent six years in care. He was placed in a Norfolk care home, far removed from his relatives in Hertfordshire. While he maintained some contact with his father, his coordinator helped him rebuild ties with his extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and a half-sister, even organizing a family reunion.

"It is wonderful to feel close to them again," Mackenzie said. "I still carry childhood trauma and occasionally need space, but my life would have a significant void without this contact." He credited his coordinator with creating a "safe space" to reconnect, handling the logistics and planning necessary to facilitate these relationships.

The support provided to Poppie and Mackenzie in Hertfordshire represents a broader government initiative to extend similar assistance to all 80,000 children in care. The Department for Education has allocated funds to 25 local authorities to hire coordinators tasked with helping young people rebuild existing ties or forge new ones with trusted adults. These mentors can range from estranged relatives to teachers, former coaches, or, as in Poppie’s case, former care staff.

During the pilot phase, supported young people established an average of nearly two meaningful relationships. Furthermore, more than one-third of participants were assisted in reconnecting with family members. While similar services exist in some non-pilot areas, they are currently inconsistent, often provided independently by councils or charities. To rectify this, the government has committed £8.4 million in funding over the next three years to ensure comprehensive support is available to all children in and leaving care.

Huge challenges

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister expressed hope that this expansion would enable care leavers to "achieve and thrive." He noted that "too many children leave care without the lifelong relationships that most of us rely on."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 04:55:43 UTC