Who it’s for: Care-experienced young people aged 18–25
About Family Rights Group
Family Rights Group (FRG) is the leading specialist charity working to ensure children can live safely and thrive in their families, and that children in the care system have loving relationships they can turn to throughout life.
For 50 years, FRG has worked to shape the child welfare system to make this a reality. We bring together legal and social work expertise with the direct voices and insights of young people and families.
Young people and families with lived experience are at the heart of our work. Their experiences and expertise help shape our strategy, campaigns, services and resources.
Your Voice Can Help Shape Change
Family Rights Group offers participation opportunities for care-experienced young people aged 18–25.
These opportunities give young people the chance to use their experiences, ideas and expertise to influence FRG’s work, contribute to campaigns and resources, and help shape thinking about the child welfare system.
There are different ways to participate, depending on what interests you and what works for you.
Young People’s Advisory Group
Young people who have participated in Lifelong Links and want to be involved in the next stages of Family Rights Group’s work are invited to join the Young People’s Advisory Group.
The group brings together young people aged 18–25 who have experience of both the care system and Lifelong Links. It ensures that the voices of care-experienced young people remain at the heart of FRG’s work.
Through the group, young people can share their expertise and experiences to influence FRG’s thinking at strategic and operational level, support the development of its work and innovations, contribute to training and help drive the #BuildNotBreak campaign.
Members currently have opportunities to:
- Share their insights, ideas and experiences in internal project meetings
- Co-deliver Lifelong Links coordinator training
- Present at national webinars with senior leaders and practitioners in children’s services and other organisations
- Present at meetings of the Lifelong Links and Family Group Conference National Network
- Co-present at external training sessions and online and in-person events
- Help develop resources for Lifelong Links services, including films and practice guidance
- Play an active role in driving the #BuildNotBreak campaign
Flexible Ways to Participate
FRG recognises that young people want to participate in different ways and that a group setting will not work for everyone.
The Young People’s Participation Officer can work with young people individually on activities that suit their interests, circumstances and availability. This could include creating social media content, sharing feedback and contributing ideas.
Young people who would like to get involved in group activities are invited to join the Young People’s Advisory Group.
You can choose how much or how little you want to be involved.
Support for Young People
FRG is committed to making participation safe, accessible and meaningful.
Young people are supported to decide whether taking part is right for them, supported throughout their involvement and provided with a debrief afterwards.
Young people involved in participation opportunities can expect:
- Clear information about what they are being asked to do
- Flexibility in how they participate
- The ability to choose how much or how little they want to be involved
- Remuneration for their time and expertise
- Opportunities to develop skills and experience
- Access to counselling and wellbeing support
- Updates about how their insights, ideas and experiences have helped shape FRG’s work
All participation work is carried out in line with FRG’s Family Involvement Policy, with confidentiality, dignity and respect at its heart.
Lifelong Links
Lifelong Links is an approach developed by Family Rights Group that connects children in care and care leavers with people who care about them.
The aim is to help children and young people build positive, loving support networks that they can rely on throughout their lives.
Young people who have participated in Lifelong Links can be invited to become involved in the next stages of FRG’s work.
Find out more about Lifelong Links
Why Get Involved?
Your experience can make a difference.
By taking part in Family Rights Group’s work, you can use your experience and expertise to help shape a national charity’s strategy, campaigns, resources and ways of working.
You can also develop new skills, meet and work with other young people and professionals, and contribute to work that aims to improve the child welfare system.
FRG is committed to meaningful participation, ensuring young people know what they are contributing to, are supported to take part and can see how their voices have helped influence change.
Want to Find Out More?
If you are a care-experienced young person aged 18–25 and would like to find out more about participation opportunities, contact:
Lottie Stacey
Young People’s Participation Officer
Lottie can talk to you about the opportunities available and what type of involvement might work for you.
