What is life story work?

It’s a statutory requirement for Local Authorities to ensure that appropriate life story work is undertaken for children with a plan for adoption, including the preparation of a Life Story Book.

However, life story work can be hugely beneficial for all care-experienced children and young people, helping them understand and make sense of their history, relationships and identity in a sensitive and trauma-informed way.

“Children separated from their birth families are often denied the opportunity to know about their past and to clarify past events in terms of the present. They may have changed families, social workers, homes, and neighbourhoods. Their past may be lost, much of it even forgotten. Losing track of the past can make it difficult for children to develop emotionally and socially. Life story work is an attempt to give back some of this past.” (Ryan, T and Walker, R, 2016).

See our latest research into Local Authority provision of life story work across the UK>> 

Life story work can be facilitated by a carer (for example a foster carer or a kinship carer), or by a social worker. Therapeutic Life Story Work can only be carried out by a qualified Therapeutic Life Story Worker (you can find qualified people in your region here).

It can be delivered in person or online, and usually takes place over a number of weeks. Each session typically lasts about an hour.

Professor Richard Rose’s model of Therapeutic Life Story Work, which aims to support a child who is ‘stuck’ in processing an often difficult and complex past, takes place over nine to 12 months.

We organise regular Live Classrooms, with expert trainers like Professor Richard Rose and Dr Karen Treisman MBE. Our life story work training is open to everyone – we’d love to see you in a session soon!

“The information was invaluable, and I can’t wait to book on the next training session and use the activities provided with the young people I work with.”