Much of our work involves supporting children, young people and their families who are disabled by impairment. We know that the concept of creating natural support networks is so powerful that it can be applied to any situation. We are just at the beginning of developing the idea of using circles of support with children and young people who are in and who are leaving care i.e. those disadvantaged through early childhood disruption and / or trauma. We would like funding to enable us to grow and develop this area of our work, the concept is known and proven to us, we need further experience in addressing the particular needs of looked after children and young people. This project would be in line with current policies including Every Child Matters and Care Matters. A circle would support a looked after child or young person for example, to have access to sport, to achieve academically, to have a smooth transition in to adulthood and to manage emotions and behaviours. Circles of support bring huge benefits to all involved. For the individual (the focus person) they have many opportunities to be empowered, to have a much improved self esteem and a feeling of self worth. For many young people who do not have much, if any control in their lives it is often one of the first times that they are able to steer what is happening to them both now and in the future. For some it is the first time that they are truly listened to. For children and young people who are looked after by services and who are not with their birth families, it is vital that they look forward to their futures and are supported to have a meaningful, productive and fulfilling life. A support network of people that the young person has invited to support them can make huge changes and provide a massive support to help them grow and achieve. A grant would enable us to create a number of circles around looked after children and young people and would also allow us to provide information and training to foster carers and local authorities, training them to use the tools and techniques to develop social networks and ultimately to improve the lives of children and young people either looked after or leaving care.