account arrow-down-linearrow-down-small arrow-downarrow-download arrow-left-small arrow-leftarrow-link arrow-rightarrow-upawarded bluesky books calendar close-modal closedate delete document education emailevent facebookhamburger impact instagramjustice linkedin location-outline location opinion page phonepinterestplay plusplyr-pause plyr-play post preview projectpublication reports resourcesearch-bigsearch series share star-full star-open startime twitterwelfare youtube zoom-in zoom-out

Back to Their Futures Network

Transforming care for children experiencing and living in complex circumstances

This network was established following the Back to Their Futures Summit: Transforming care for children subject to Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) orders, held on 1 April 2025 in Birmingham. During the summit, we witnessed vision, commitment, and a determination to do things differently.

Through the Back to Their Futures Network, we will share information and learning and connect like-minded people who want to improve care for children experiencing and living in complex circumstances.

If you or your organisation are interested in helping to grow and shape this network, please get in touch by emailing contactfjo@nuffieldfoundation.org.

Resources

Briefings on improving care for children in complex situations

For over a year, members of a peer collaborative convened by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory have shared insights about how children in complex situations are cared for in their regions. The group helped to develop a case for change and a vision for a new ecosystem of care. Two briefings have been published:

Presentations from the Back to Their Futures Summit

Care for children on deprivation of liberty orders: What we know

Lisa Harker, Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory

Download PDF (1.5mb)  |  1 April 2025

Beyond collaboration – Developing an enduring delivery partnership in Somerset

Thanks to:

  • Claire Winter, Executive Director – Children, Families and Education, Somerset Council
  • Claudine Brown, Head of CAMHS and Interim Head of Paediatrics, Somerset Foundation Trust NHS
  • Chris Luck CB MBE DL, Group CEO, Shaw Trust

Download PDF (3mb)  |  8 May 2025

Building Bridges – How integration between Children’s Social Care and Children’s Mental Health services can support better outcomes for young people (Newcastle and Gateshead)

Thanks to:

  • Dr Kate Ward, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Cumbria Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
  • Cath McEvoy-Carr, Director of Children and Families, Newcastle City Council
  • Dr Laura Rosby, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Trusting Hands Gateshead

Download PDF (1mb)  |  8 May 2025

Making belonging a reality – A new approach to caring for children in York

Thanks to:

  • Danielle Johnson, Director of Safeguarding, City of York Council
  • Ian Colpitts, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, City of York Council
  • Emily Noble, Head of Quality of Practice, City of York Council

Download PDF (1.3mb)  |  8 May 2025

Using the power of 10: The Greater Manchester approach to transforming care for children

Thanks to:

  • Anne-Marie Carney, Senior Commissioning Manager, Greater Manchester Regional Care Cooperative
  • Debbie Blackburn, Director, Children’s Commissioning, Nursing and Wellbeing, Salford City Council
  • Jo Higham, Associate Director of Commissioning, Bee Together – Greater Manchester Children and Young People’s Mental Health Lead Provider Collaborative, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Download PDF (0.3mb)  |  3 June 2025

Connecting the pieces of the puzzle with relentless hope: Anchoring secure attachment through a relational and whole system approach to the care of young people with complex needs (Gwent, Wales)

Thanks to:

  • Jennie Welham, Regional Director, MyST
  • Gareth Jenkins, Head of Children’s Services, Caerphilly County Borough Council
  • Cariad Warrilow, Regional Data and Performance Manager, MyST

Download PDF (1.4mb)  |  3 June 2025

Learning from Provider Collaboratives: A multi-agency response to improve life outcomes for children and young people living in residential care in the West Midlands

Thanks to:

  • Elaine Kirwan, West Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative – Director of Nursing/Director Toucan WMCPC
  • Michelle Cresswell, West Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative – Associate Director of Commissioning and Transformation
  • Natasha Moody, Assistant Director for Wellbeing and Partnerships and Chair of the WM Strategic Commissioning Network

Download PDF (3mb)  |  3 June 2025

Latest data about the number of children subject to applications to deprive them of their liberty under the inherent jurisdiction of the high court (DoL applications)

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data shows that between April-June 2025, 357 children were subject to Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) applications. This is a 12% increase on the previous quarter (January-March 2025) and is nearly 20% higher than the equivalent quarter last year (April-June 2024). Since the MoJ started to track DoL orders two years ago, 2,606 children have been subject to DoL applications.

You can read more about what the latest quarterly MoJ data tells us here.

Profile

Latest