Rebuilding what the system broke

It’s every child’s birthright to grow up in a loving, secure home.

Every child deserves to belong, to feel valued and to have their voice heard. No child should feel abandoned or neglected.

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Registered charity in England & Wales

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No. 1207064

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Founded by Fatima Whitbread MBE

The people behind it

Who's behind the campaign

Together we are creating a care system where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

Fatima spent the first 14 years of her life in the care system before being fostered and adopted by her coach, Margaret Whitbread. She went on to break the world javelin record and win World and European titles. Drawing on her lived experience, she founded Fatima's UK Campaign to champion the nurturing support, stability and opportunities every child in care deserves, helping them build a brighter future.

Gina brings more than four decades of experience, including over 20 years leading an award-winning school and since 2005 developing leaders at every level. She empowers individuals, teams, and organisations to lead with integrity, compassion, and courage.

Together, they're working to change how the system treats every child who passes through it.

More about us

Why we exist

For too long, the UK care system has failed too many children and young people.

Many leave care without the support, stability or hope they need to build a secure future. They face homelessness, mental health crises and unemployment, often because the people and services around them fell short when they needed them most. Every young person deserves the chance to feel safe, supported and hopeful about what lies ahead.

This is not an easy challenge to solve, but young people cannot wait. Lived experience has shown us what that costs. Fatima's UK Campaign is bringing people together to turn that experience into practical action and better opportunities for children in care and care leavers.

“No more excuses. No more waiting. Young people need action now. Together, let’s change the story for those growing up in care.”

The scale of the challenge

0 K+

children in the UK care system today

1 in 3

care leavers face homelessness within two years

0 %

of care leavers are not in education, work or training

0 %

of children in care for over 12 months achieve a grade 4+ in English and maths at GCSE

Better Futures, Built Together

Our Action Hubs bring communities, carers, employers and decision-makers together to create real opportunities for young people.

  • Health & Wellbeing

St Wilfrid’s Hospice Seahorse Project

The Seahorse Project, run by St Wilfrid’s Hospice, gives grieving children and young people somewhere to turn. It offers free, specialist bereavement support to those aged 6 to 18 across Eastbourne, Seaford, Hailsham, Heathfield, Uckfield and everywhere in between, helping them understand and manage difficult feelings in a safe, supportive space. Care-experienced children can carry extra losses, from changes in family relationships to separation from the people they love, and the Seahorse team meets each young person where they are. Support may include one-to-one counselling, therapeutic play and creative activities, working alongside families, carers, schools and professionals so no child faces grief alone.

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  • Education, Employment & Skills, SEND

Affinity 2020

Affinity 2020 is a Rotherham social enterprise working with care-experienced young people who have emotional and social additional needs. Founded by turn-around executive headteacher Charlotte Elliott, its trauma-informed, student-centred approach brings together educators, associates and employers to support a successful transition into adult and working life. Its work responds to stark realities: 52% of care leavers have a criminal conviction by 24, compared with 13% of their peers. At its heart is a specialist post-16 college for care-experienced young people with an EHCP, delivering a NOCN-accredited Preparing for Adulthood curriculum alongside creative programmes that build belonging and research that improves equality of opportunity.

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  • Employment & Skills, Sport & Activity

Dallaglio RugbyWorks

Dallaglio RugbyWorks harnesses the power of rugby to support young people facing serious disadvantage. Founded by former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, it was built to tackle social exclusion, unemployment and the absence of positive role models. It runs structured programmes in pupil referral units, alternative education settings and communities, reaching young people excluded from mainstream school or at risk of becoming NEET. Alongside rugby and mentoring, practical employability workshops on CVs, interviews and workplace expectations help young people move into education, training or work. By partnering with businesses and local authorities, it turns the values of rugby, teamwork, respect, discipline and resilience, into real opportunities.

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  • Health & Wellbeing, Mentoring & Advocacy

Survivors Of aBuse (SoB)

Survivors Of aBuse is a survivor-led charity supporting adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, including abuse and neglect, helping them move from surviving towards greater safety, confidence, wellbeing and choice. Founded by survivor, author and campaigner Chris Tuck, it combines lived experience with professional knowledge, offering practical tools, education, peer support and connection. Its signature Breaking The Cycle programme is an eight-week, trauma-informed course covering mindset, lifestyle, nutrition, exercise and rest. Ambassador Beverley Ann, a care leaver now working in residential care, bridges the needs of children growing up in care and the long-term impact childhood experiences can have. That crossover makes SoB a natural partner in building joined-up support that continues beyond age 18.

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View all our hubs

One Voice Summit

Shaping Solutions Together

Delegates, contributors and exhibitors came together to share their experiences, look ahead and find practical solutions to improve outcomes for children and young people in care.

The Summit focused on what needs to happen next, and how we can make it happen together. Explore the sessions and read the draft white paper to see the ideas and solutions that came out of it.

Watch the sessions

News

What we're working on

All news

Join us in creating a care system which works for every child.

Join the partnership and help us deliver what every child and young person deserves: A loving, caring and secure home.

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