Life Story Work for Children and Young People

Children and Young People who live with their birth families have the opportunity to know about their past, and have a means of being able to understand it through discussions with their parents and others and to clarify past events in terms of the present. Children and Young People separated from their birth families are often denied this opportunity; they may have changed families, Social Workers, homes, and neighbourhoods. Their past may be lost, much of it even forgotten.

When Children and Young People lose track of their past, they may find it difficult to develop emotionally and socially.

Foster carers are integral to a child’s life story and play an integral part in providing memories and information for children and young people in the present and later life.

A life story ‘book’ is usually prepared for or with a Child or Young Person by their Social Worker. The book includes the recording of significant information and events for a Child or Young Person to refer to when they are older or as they grow up, such as a description of their birth family, where they were born, significant people in their lives, and their care history. Foster Carers should also make life story books about the time a Child or Young Person has spent living with them.

Life story work can take the form of a book, photo album, interactive CD, or collection of personal items that date back to the Child or Young Person’s time with their birth or foster family referred to as memorabilia.

It is important for Children and Young People to have a record of significant people, places, and events in their life. Every Child or Young Person needs to have a sense of identity and of their origins so they can understand the person they are. The life story book belongs to the Child or Young Person but might be provided to the Foster Carers, so they can share information sensitively with the Child or Young Person, when age appropriate, as some information may be painful or difficult to understand.

It is important to note that the Social Worker for the Child or Young Person has a key role to play in sharing information with the Child or Young Person about their past experiences. Some Children and Young People may choose to refer to their life story book regularly, others less often or hardly ever and this is their choice.

• Photographs of all the fostering household including photos of the home;
• Records of achievement/copies of certificates and awards;
• Development milestones and when achieved;
• Favourite Birthday and Christmas gifts;
• Favourite activities;
• Family holidays and photos of the Child or Young Person with the fostering family;
• Names of favourite friends (photos if possible);
• Information about significant illness or hospitalisation;
• Details of pets in the family (including photos);
• Details of special activities or day trips;
• School details, favourite Teacher, subjects, school reports, school plays;
• Special activities such as scouting, clubs, camping experiences;
• Religious celebrations and festivals;
• Family special occasions;
• Ways the Child or Young Person liked to show affection and things that made them laugh;
• Any cards/gifts/letters/photos and clothing provided by members of the birth family;
• Letters from Foster Carers/family to the Child or Young Person.

Life story work and collating memorabilia for the memory box should occur at the very initial stages of placement and be ongoing throughout the duration of the placement. When the Child or Young Person leaves the placement the life story work and memory box will move on with them. The memory box and life story work collated by Foster Carers should be accessible to Children and Young People at all times.