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, 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, Health & Wellbeing

Move Different CIC

Move Different is a social enterprise tackling one of the UK’s most pressing challenges: stopping young people from becoming NEET, not in education, employment or training. Built on the belief that young people rarely disengage overnight, it works to spot the early signs before they escalate. At its heart is a sentiment assessment tool, co-designed with young people, school leaders, safeguarding professionals and child psychologists, that uses youth-centred language to create a safe way for young people to share concerns about wellbeing, belonging, safety and their future. Rather than replacing existing services, Move Different strengthens them, helping schools and partners identify needs earlier and connect young people to the right support at the right time.

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  • Arts, Mentoring & Advocacy, Sport & Activity

ATF

Since 2012, ATF has worked with communities and young people at risk of exclusion, creating safe spaces, opportunity and wellbeing. Using sport, art, heritage and culture, it builds a sense of togetherness and has driven down anti-social behaviour in the areas it serves. Its place-based approach follows asset-based community development principles, running Discovery Days that put local people in the lead and reach the neighbourhoods and cohorts most often overlooked. Working alongside residents, schools, councils, the Probation Service and housing associations, ATF supports young people from age 5 to 24, and its work reclaiming spaces such as Northlands Park shows what communities can achieve when they lead.

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  • Education, Mentoring & Advocacy

Every Child Needs a Mentor (ECNM)

Every Child Needs a Mentor is a specialist child and human development organisation dedicated to helping people become who they are capable of becoming. Established in 2013 and building on practice that began in 2009, it works across education, social care, youth justice and the wider community, partnering with local authorities, schools, charities and families to improve outcomes, especially for those who have experienced adversity or the care system. Known first for its pioneering mentoring, ECNM has grown into a broader relationship-centred practice that builds confidence, identity, resilience and belonging. Alongside direct work it develops professional frameworks and standards that strengthen the wider children’s workforce. As an Action Hub, it is committed to sharing knowledge and influencing positive change.

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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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