Independence Should Not Mean Isolation: What DfE’s Enduring Relationships Strategy Means for Supported Accommodation

The Department for Education published its Enduring Relationships strategy on 4 June 2026 and updated it on 14 July 2026. The policy sets out a clear ambition: children who experience care should maintain and build trusted relationships that provide stability, belonging and support as they move towards adulthood.

The policy is relevant to Supported Accommodation because it explicitly calls on providers, including Supported Accommodation and children’s homes, to support enduring relationships as a core part of practice rather than an optional extra.

A wider definition of preparing for independence

Supported Accommodation naturally focuses on preparation for adulthood. That includes practical capabilities such as managing money, attending appointments, maintaining accommodation, travelling independently and engaging with education or employment.

The DfE strategy adds another dimension: relationships. A young person can be practically capable and still face significant vulnerability if they reach adulthood without trusted people to turn to when something goes wrong.

What are enduring relationships?

The government’s policy describes enduring relationships as stable and trusted connections that can include family members, friends, former carers, mentors and other important adults. The emphasis is on relationships that continue beyond a single placement or professional intervention.

What could this look like in Supported Accommodation?

• Support plans identify important people in the young person’s life, not just professionals.
• Staff help young people maintain safe family, friendship and community connections where appropriate.
• Transition planning considers who will still be available after statutory or placement support reduces.
• Young people are supported to build community networks through education, work, hobbies, mentoring and local activities.
• Leaders review whether organisational processes unintentionally disrupt important relationships.

This does not mean maintaining every relationship regardless of risk. Safeguarding remains central. The point is that safe, positive relationships should be deliberately supported rather than left to chance.

Why providers should pay attention now

The policy also connects enduring relationships with wider reform and future inspection. DfE says Ofsted is working on inspection changes that give appropriate attention to these relationships. Ofsted’s July 2026 consultation on social care inspections also reflects this direction.

Supported Accommodation providers can respond now by looking at support planning, key-work conversations, transition planning and how staff understand independence. The strongest services will help young people build the practical skills and the human connections needed for adult life.

Next step: SAPC can help providers review whether their support planning and evidence reflect current regulatory and policy expectations.

Primary source

Department for Education - Enduring relationships for care-experienced children
Published/updated: 4 June 2026; updated 14 July 2026