Apr 24 • Nina Mihcioglu

We Care Week – A Movement, Not Just a Moment

Introduction

What happens when some of the most powerful voices in the care sector come together to educate, inspire, and ignite change? You get We Care Week. And what a week it was.
Hosted by The Care Leaders Online, We Care Week brought together an extraordinary panel of speakers united by one goal: to improve the lives of care-experienced children by transforming how professionals engage with, understand, and support them.

This wasn’t just about learning what to do, it was about learning how to do it. Each session offered something powerful: real stories, emotional truths, actionable strategies, and scientific insight. Whether you're a social worker, teacher, foster carer, or simply someone who cares, this week was designed for you.

Over 100,000 children are currently in care across England, that’s the equivalent of filling 66 secondary schools entirely with children from the care system. That number isn’t just shocking; it’s a wake-up call. And still, many professionals are left asking: “How do I best support them?”

Our Speakers 

Luke Rodgers, our CEO, opened the week with a powerful message rooted in empathy. He reminded us that when we choose to recognise, rather than overlook, a child’s unique journey, we meet them with understanding instead of assumption. That shift in mindset is where change begins.

Dr. Janet Rose carried this theme forward with her emotionally rich and professionally valuable session on emotion coaching. Her advice? Be curious, not furious. Emotion coaching isn’t just a skill; it’s a lifeline, it’s a way to build emotional resilience in children who often express their stories through behaviour. With her guidance, we learned to respond with curiosity, compassion, and calm.

Jerome Harvey Agyei reminded us that healing begins with love, especially self-love. His session was a heartfelt call to action, urging us to empower young people to understand their emotions, embrace their identity, and see themselves as the heroes of their own story. As he said so beautifully, we must lead with safety, heart, and humanity.

Kate Cairns was unfortunately unable to host however her daughter Sally Poskett, brought the science to life, reminding us that brains can change and that meaningful relationships make that change possible. Her session was a stunning blend of neuroscience and real-life application, showing how connection, co-regulation, and compassion can rewire not just the brain but the future.

Karylle Phillips brought us full circle, challenging us to shift our thinking entirely. Trauma, she explained, doesn’t just live in memory, it lives in reactions. Her message was clear: stop labelling and start understanding. When schools and social care communicate better, when we support the whole child rather than just their behaviour, we build bridges, not barriers.

Enlightening and Essential

We Care Week wasn’t just a collection of webinars. It was emotional. It was enlightening. It was essential. And the best part? This is just the beginning.

Every speaker offered more than just ideas, they gave us practical tools. You left with real-life stories, how-to guides, best practices, and downloadable resources you can use right now.


Ask Yourself 

If you are part of a child’s care journey, ask yourself: are you supporting care-experienced children in a way that truly meets their needs? Do you have access to the right voices, guidance, and tools? What might improve if you subscribed today?

A Movement 

This wasn’t a moment. It was a movement. And if you're ready to lead with heart, rethink your approach, and be part of genuine, systemic change, The Care Leaders Online is your next step. Join us – and help rewrite the story for care-experienced children everywhere.


Learn more about about The Care Leaders Online - join and subscribe!