The Care System Isn’t Broken, The System Needs a Reset
In our recent Blog The History of The Care System, The Church, The Royals, The Philanthropists and The State, having understood why and how the Care System started, I was able to draw the conclusion that the Care System isn’t Broken but rather that the System needs a Reset.
When one thinks of something being broken, we picture something that has been smashed, or shattered, something that has fallen to pieces, ruined and left in a state of disrepair.
Now visualizing this image, I do believe it’s fair to say we don’t have a Care System that has been smashed, become shattered or fallen to pieces, ruined and left in a state of disrepair, because the System is still functioning albeit not at its optimum level and in places, not in line with its original intent and purpose.
As a reminder, the original intent and purpose for the Care System was established in 1552, an initiative led by King Edward VI as a result of a sermon he heard, encouraging the congregation to show mercy (love and compassion) to the poor and destitute; which led to The Christ’s Hospital being opened as the first home for orphans to receive education and life skills training. More about this can be found here.
Now when we understand the origination and purpose of the Care System, the words showing mercy (love and compassion) and being raised to have an education and life skills stand out as the foundation and starting point for how to raise and care for those who come into the Care System.
However, as you read our previous blog, you’ll see that the System didn’t stick to these founding principles and became a place where orphans lost their lives, we’re abused and exploited for financial gain, with courageous founders and leaders trying their best to reset the system and get it back on track.
And so, with a Yes and No answer in response to the question, do we see the original intention and purpose of the Care System actioned in 2025, I’d like to share the following on how to reset the Care System, returning it to its original intent and purpose.
Are You In The Right Place?
One thing to always remember is that we will always have children and young people in need of the Care System, however the question to consider is Are you the right person for the role?
The System does not function outside of people, and yet the people decide how the System functions. Understand that your thoughts voiced and actioned play a part in dictating the outcomes and life chances of the child or young person in your Care and this responsibility should not be taken lightly.
With that in mind, ask yourself why you chose a career within Children’s Social Care. Was it for the pay? Was it because you couldn’t get a job elsewhere? or Was it because you sincerely wanted to be a part of something bigger than you to help make a positive difference in the lives of our country’s most vulnerable?
Whatever your response, make sure you are in the right place in the right sector.
See All of Us
An indication of our outcomes and life chances can be seen in how we are seen by those doing the caring and supporting.
If you hyperfocus on our trauma, our behaviour and our mistakes, you won’t see the potential we have to succeed and achieve.
Understand this, children and young people that come into Care CAN achieve and be successful on their own terms and at their own pace. Yes, we’ve had a challenging start in life, but with the right support, from the right people, in the right place and the right environment, change in our lives is possible; so please don’t be surprised when you hear that we succeed, it’s in our DNA, you just have to see it.
Keep Learning, Reflecting and Reviewing in Real Time
Qualifications, Continual Professional Development and Training are ways to keep yourself up to date and relevant in your role, but have you ever considered being open to real time feedback from the child or young person in your Care.
The Sector shouldn’t have to wait for a lineup of Care Experienced speakers at Conferences to learn and reset practice. The Sector shouldn’t have to wait for another Child or Young Person in Care to fall prey to abusers and exploiters that leads to an investigation that makes headline news, to learn and reset practice. The Sector shouldn’t have to wait to hear a Care Leavers’ story on Social Media, of how they’ve been let down, in order to learn and reset practice; and the Sector shouldn’t have to wait for Ofsted visits or Laws and Policy’s to be passed, in order to learn and engage in best and good practice.
Now please don’t get me wrong, Conferences and the like are good places to learn, but nothing beats learning in real time because it is said ‘every day is a school day’, and real time lessons give you with the opportunity to learn and be proactive in your practice and less reactive.
In conclusion, resetting the System by having the right people in the right positions, by changing the way you view (see) the care experienced and by learning, reflecting and reviewing your practice in real time, will help to get the Care System back on track to it’s original intent and purpose of showing mercy (love and compassion) and raising our present day orphans to have an education and necessary life skills, which will without a doubt improve their journey through the care system and ultimately improve their outcomes and life chances.
Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments or send us an email.