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.

Donate now

Learn our story

Registered charity in England & Wales

•

No. 1207064

•

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.

  • Mentoring & Advocacy

The Harold Wood Foundation

The Harold Wood Foundation is a grassroots charity creating opportunities that build wellbeing, confidence and community connection for local children and young people. A key focus is care-experienced young people, many of whom face instability, emotional difficulties and limited support networks. Through mentoring and coaching programmes, it gives young people access to positive role models and trusted support, helping them develop self-esteem, communication skills and confidence in their own decisions. Its community events bring people together in welcoming spaces, reducing loneliness and isolation, so young people feel heard, respected and connected to the place they live.

  • Education

Joseph Chamberlain College

Joseph Chamberlain College is an award-winning sixth form college in Birmingham and the only one in Birmingham and Solihull rated Outstanding by Ofsted, an achievement earned twice in six years. Its mission is an exceptional education for all. Around 2,500 school leavers join each year, choosing from an extensive suite of A-Levels and vocational courses, with clear pathways at every level from GCSEs to ESOL so students of all backgrounds and starting points can progress. Graded Outstanding in every category, the College combines high achievement and strong progression to higher education and employment with a warm, inclusive and diverse community.

Visit website »

  • Education, Financial Capability

Money Ready

Money Ready is a charity on a mission to create a financially fluent population, equipping people aged 4 to 40 to make informed choices and take control of their finances, from first payslips to pensions. It knows the journey is harder for care-experienced young people, who often face financial exclusion and a cliff-edge of support when they leave care. Its evidence-based programmes make a measurable difference: 94% of participants report improved financial knowledge, 89% feel more confident managing money and 87% intend to change how they manage their finances. Working with schools, youth organisations and workplaces across the UK, Money Ready turns money from a source of stress into a tool for independence.

Visit website »

  • Employment & Skills, Mentoring & Advocacy

The Care Leaver Covenant

The Care Leaver Covenant is a national programme that connects care leavers aged 16 to 25 with organisations pledging real, practical opportunities as they move into independent adulthood. Signatories from business, charities, education and the public sector commit to concrete offers: apprenticeships, work placements, mentoring, discounts and access to essential services, so care-experienced young people get the same chances as their peers in employment, education, housing and health. Since it launched, the Covenant has brought together hundreds of partner organisations across the UK and created thousands of opportunities, while building a shared responsibility for care leavers’ futures.

Visit website »

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.

Donate now

Learn our story