Our same sex adoption story
Ian Tomney-Bell shares his family’s inspiring adoption journey - from challenging parts of the journey, to the special moment they met their daughter Aspen.
My kinship care journey
Shanayd Warren tells us about her personal experience of kinship care, and how she supported her elder sister and her niece in unexpected circumstances.
Being an Independent Visitor to a looked after child
Jayne Yerou, commercial insurance lead at the Department for Education explains her experience of being an Independent Visitor. As a naturally warm and supportive person, she has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the young person she visits, and they have developed a strong bond.
Providing a safe, nurturing environment through foster care
Maria and Robert have been foster carers since 2010 and have fostered over 50 children and young people to date. In this blog, Maria shares their journey to becoming foster carers and how they support children and young people.
Creating a smooth transition from education into the world of work
As a job coach, Kate James shares advice for helping young people with SEND to gain and sustain suitable paid employment.
Starting a career in children's social work
Natalie qualified as a social worker in April 2021 and shares her experience of the Step Up to Social Work alongside advice for others looking to join the programme or current undergraduates.
The Step Up to Social Work journey
Isaac graduated from the Step Up to Social Work programme this year and shares his journey throughout the training programme.
Bringing specialists to children not children to specialists
Natalie Byron, team manager for the City of Birmingham School’s Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce (APST), explains her team's role in re-engaging children in their education and protecting those who are at risk of serious violence and exploitation.
Inspiring change through lived experience of SEND
Nandi Caine, chair of Lincolnshire Young Voices (LYV), discusses her role in supporting a pan-disability group of children and young people to improve service delivery for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Kinship care, an internship and overcoming a difficult start to life
Chloe Agnew is currently on the Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme and tells us about her experience on the programme and growing up with her Gran as her kinship carer.