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.

  • Education, Employment & Skills, Mentoring & Advocacy

4-22 Foundation

4-22 Foundation backs children and young people at every stage from age 4 to 22, without a break. Founded in 2019 in Tottenham, it delivers tutoring, a long-term STEM programme, career workshops, work experience, mental health support and employability coaching. Its work for over-18s centres on LGBTQ+ care leavers, and in 2024 it created the first Pan-London network and support group for LGBTQ+ care-experienced young people aged 18 to 25. Named UK Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2023 Small Awards, 4-22 tailors its support to help each young person build a better future.

  • Education, Employment & Skills

GMI Construction Group

GMI Construction Group is a leading UK building and construction company, and through its award-winning Construction Cares programme it turns its projects, people and partnerships into real opportunities for local communities. Construction Cares brings together practical DIY and construction skills workshops, careers and employability programmes, work experience and T Level placements, SEND and care-experienced pathways, community volunteering and targeted support for people facing barriers to work. GMI works closely with local authorities, schools, colleges, charities and its own supply chain to respond directly to local need. As an Action Hub, it offers its experience, partnerships and Construction Cares programme to the wider network, building lasting, measurable social impact.

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  • Education, Financial Capability

WizeUp Financial Education

WizeUp gives young people the money skills school never taught them. Established in 2011 and a registered charity since 2020, it was founded by Ed Flack after his own children struggled with money on leaving school, and is now led by his son Michael. WizeUp delivers funded, face-to-face workshops in schools, colleges, PRUs and SEND settings, covering budgeting, saving, tax and payslips, credit scores, student loans, apprenticeships and how to avoid scams. Every session turns complex finance into practical, everyday confidence, so no young person is pushed towards debt or exclusion for want of knowing better.

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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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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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Learn our story