The Psychology of Children in Care

Explore how the stories children in care carry shape their identity, behaviour and wellbeing. What happens when a child grows up without a complete, clear understanding of their own story? Children in care often grow up with confusing narratives shaped by adults speaking about them rather than with them. This talk explores how those stories directly influence identity, behaviour, relationships and self-worth. It explains why Therapeutic Life Story Work matters, what happens when it's done poorly or too late, and how it can reduce distress, support healing and improve mental wellbeing — grounded in everyday experience, for professionals and those with lived experience of adverse childhood experiences alike.