Foster & Kinship Care

Children in foster, kinship and adoptive care have exceptionally valuable insights to offer us about the impact of childhood distress. No child enters these systems without carrying loss, sadness, grief, and most likely trauma. All of them have lost relationships. They have learned early about major disappointment, searing heartache, fear and anger. They can help us to appreciate the power of love in repairing hurt.

A movement is underway across Britain to ensure that professionals understand the impacts of childhood trauma – to recognise that trauma is embedded in a child’s biology and neurology. This movement offers hope and solutions, but first adults must find the courage to face up to the emotional experiences of loss that children are carrying.

The feedback that Suzanne receives shows that tackling these tough messages empowers carers. In 2020, for example, one commentator writing about adoption took heart that “Suzanne is helping us to think about the ways we can harm our children without ever meaning to.” In 2018, Scottish politician MSP Gail Ross recalled the time that the word ‘love’ was explicitly linked, for her, to policy choices. “Suzanne was one of the first people to talk to Highland Council about love. I think that most of the councillors present that day would agree it was one of the best discussions we had. It opened our eyes to the way that childhood trauma affects lives.” Every single one of us who become able to talk aloud about love and courage creates footsteps for others to follow in.