Lifelong Links: Embedding practice: Briefing paper by Rees Centre, University of Oxford

·Lifelong Links practice should be child led and should be carried out at a pace determined by them, with a recognition that for some children, objectives might change.
•Most of the objectives set by children and young people are met.
•Clear communication and a shared understanding of the handover of the Lifelong Links plan and mechanisms to review the plan are pivotal to support the embedding of Lifelong Links.
•Lifelong Links supports the concept of relational stability, with the recognition that relationships can continue beyond placements, and that foster carers and birth family members can work collaboratively.
•The longitudinal child level analysis shows that:
-placement stability continues for children and young people in the years following the commencement of Lifelong Links.
-emotional health and wellbeing appear to improve (as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire).