New strategy aims to give Lincolnshire's children in care the best possible start in life

The three-year plan sets out how Lincolnshire County Council and its partners will continue to support some of the county's most vulnerable children and young people, helping them to thrive both during their time in care and as they move into adulthood.

When a child enters care, the council becomes their corporate parent, sharing responsibility for ensuring they are safe, supported and given every opportunity to succeed.

The newly approved Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy outlines an ambitious vision focused on improving stability, strengthening family connections and helping young people achieve positive long-term outcomes.

Among the key priorities are reducing the number of children entering care through earlier support for families, enabling more children to remain safely within their family or kinship networks, and ensuring children who do need to come into care can stay as close to home as possible.

The strategy also aims to increase the availability and quality of local foster and residential placements, helping children maintain links with their schools, friends and communities while experiencing fewer placement moves.

Councillor Natalie Oliver, executive member for children's services, said the council was determined to give children in care the same opportunities any parent would want for their own child.

"Like every good parent, we want the children and young people in our care to be healthy, happy and safe, to do well at school, explore hobbies and interests, and learn to lead independent lives," she said.

"As they become older, we want to see them make their way as adults in higher education, to have good careers and to be financially secure."

She added that the council had worked closely with care-experienced children and young people while developing the strategy, ensuring their experiences and views helped shape future services.

"We take our moral and legal responsibilities very seriously, and we will continue to think big when it comes to our vision of what care should be like," she said.

Importantly, the strategy places a strong emphasis on listening to children and young people, ensuring their voices are heard and that they play an active role in decisions affecting their lives.

The plan also focuses on improving health and wellbeing, educational achievement, independence skills, relationships and identity, while helping young people build confidence as they prepare for adult life.

Council leaders say the strategy builds on existing strengths and will help ensure children in care and care leavers continue to receive the support they need to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

The new approach will guide services over the next three years as part of the council's wider Children in Care Transformation Programme.