YOUNG people leaving local authority care in North Yorkshire are to get help tracking down family members, as part of a new trial.

The county council is one of only seven local authorities selected to try out the new service.

The scheme, called Lifelong Links, is designed to link young people up with estranged relatives, or family members they did not previously know, who can be a supportive part of their lives.

Launched this summer, Lifelong Links will help the children and young people find their relatives, and other adults like former foster carers who could become part of their lives in the long-term once they leave care.

The idea stems from the “family finding” model used in the USA, and North Yorkshire is the only council in the north of England to be trying it out.

It is aimed at children under 16 who have been in care for less than three years, and where there are no plans for them live with their family or to be adopted when they leave care.

Cllr Janet Sanderson said: “The Lifelong Links pilot could have implications nationally for future best practice.

“It is part of a prestigious research project, restricted to a relatively small but important population of children and young people in care in North Yorkshire.”

The council was asked try out the service because of it impressive track record in children’s social care services, she added.

Once Lifelong Links is up and running, a professional will search for family members and other adults who care about the child, and are willing to make a lifelong commitment. Those people will then be brought together in a family group conference to make a support plan.

Stuart Carlton, the council’s corporate director for children and young people’s services, said: “Lifelong Links presents another opportunity for the authority to further its ambition to ensure that every child in North Yorkshire has the best possible start in life.

“We are excited once again to be at the forefront of work to increase support for young people.”