Coram merges with Children's Legal Centre

The new organisation, which will be called Coram Children’s Legal Centre, will aim to combine Coram’s experience in social work and schools, with the expertise of the Children’s Legal Centre in promoting the rights of children throughout the UK.

Coram was founded in 1739 as the first children’s charity. It currently offers practical support to more than 15,000 children, young people and families every year, and reaches a further 800,000 school children through educational programmes.

The Children’s Legal Centre (CLC) provides free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, families, their carers and professionals. It also works to promote children’s rights in more than 30 countries assisting the UN and governments to implement the convention on the rights of the child.

The merger of the two charities will see Coram’s chief executive, Dr Carol Homden, continue in her position, while the interim chief executive of the Children’s Legal Centre, Carolyne Regan will act as the interim managing director of the new organisation. No job losses are expected as a result of the amalgamation.

Dr Homden said, ‘We are delighted to be welcoming the CLC to the Coram group so that we can combine our expertise to extend children’s access to justice.

‘We will draw on Coram’s pioneering work in concurrent planning and family assessment and the CLC’s expertise in educational, family and children’s legal advice to advance the cause of children, young people and families in care proceedings.

‘We are stronger together than apart, particularly during this time of economic uncertainty and burgeoning contract culture, and look forward to extending our impact from joint learning and strengths’