Chloë Darlington will be taking the reins from the Care Leavers’ Association’s David Graham, who is stepping down at the end of his two-year term. Chloë will be joining current co-chair Ben Twomey, who enters his fourth year in the role following his re-election at the end of 2021.
The Alliance is a coalition of 36 organisations that support care-experienced children and young people, with a shared commitment to improving children’s social care in England.
The full membership meets every three months and aims to provide a strong, unified voice to engage with policymakers at local, regional, and national levels on issues relating to children in care and care leavers.
Chloë has been Children England’s representative on the Alliance for eight years, and was recently promoted to Director of Policy, Campaigns and Communications at the children’s sector membership body.
The Alliance works closely with the government and contributed detailed evidence to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care led by Josh MacAllister. Notably, it secured a Child Rights Impact Assessment of the review’s recommendations. The Alliance’s key priorities include mental health, support for care leavers, implementing the care review and planning for the sector’s approach to the upcoming General Election.
Commenting on her new role, Chloë said: "It's a huge privilege to be elected as co-chair to the Alliance, which brings together so many champions for care experienced children and has contributed so much wisdom to children's social care policy over the years. One of our strengths is in harnessing members' diverse expertise in a collective vision for a child-centred system that supports each child's whole wellbeing.
“I look forward to working with Ben to ensure that expertise informs the implementation of the Care Review and that any new government policy (and indeed new government) shares our commitment to children and young people, and the care they deserve."
It’s been a privilege to co-chair the Alliance for Children in Care and Care Levers for the past 2 years, working alongside Ben and with our many members. As the saying goes: Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. In the coming months the Alliance will be key to providing open, honest, constructive and insightful feedback to the government to make sure that any care review recommendations taken forward actually work and make a difference.
David Graham, outgoing co-chair
My congratulations to Chloë Darlington on her successful election. I am delighted to be paired with such a talented and passionate campaigner as we stand up for care-experienced children and young people in 2023. On behalf of the whole Alliance, I also express our heartfelt thanks to David Graham for his dedicated leadership over the past two years, and hope that the sector continues to benefit from his experience for many years to come.
Ben Twomey, continuing co-chair
Learn more about the Alliance
The Alliance for Children in Care and Care Leavers is a coalition of organisations that work to support children in care and care leavers. To find out more information, visit our webpage.
The Alliance