Working with children and young people to be safe, happy, healthy and hopeful.
For over 150 years, we’ve been here for children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong. We are here because too many children and young people across the UK are missing out on a good childhood, and on the opportunity to thrive when they become adults.
We’ll continue to be here for as long as we’re needed – working with children and young people to be safe, happy, healthy and hopeful.
We will never, ever give up on the things that matter to them - and we’ll do everything we can to give them a place where they feel like they belong.
In everything we do, we work with children and young people to be safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
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Safer: So children at risk of harm are better protected.
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Happier: So children struggling with their wellbeing can access support and feel they belong.
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Healthier: So children growing up with disadvantage can experience good physical and mental health.
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More hopeful: So children experiencing challenges can move into adulthood with hope and confidence.
We’re determined to make this happen.
Changing childhoods. Changing Lives.
Children and young people tell us they’re ambitious for their futures. It’s our job to be ambitious for them too. We believe in them so they can believe in themselves. That’s why, right now, we’re focused on changing childhoods and changing lives. A huge amount of change is needed, but as a charity we know we can’t do everything, and we need to focus our efforts and energies where we can make the biggest difference for children.
Until 2027 we’ll be focused on driving change for...
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children and young people struggling with their mental health and wellbeing
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children and young people at greater risk of poor health
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children, young people and families living in poverty
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families needing support to give their children the best possible life chances
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children in care and care leavers
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children and young people at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation
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children and families seeking sanctuary in the UK
How we will achieve change for children
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Run excellent, inclusive services that improve the lives of children and young people
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Improve practice, policy–making and systems so that they really work for all children and young people
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Drive change in attitudes towards childhood, working closely with partners and supporters
If you want to know more about what we’ll change for children and young people by 2027 and how we’ll do it, you can read about it in our Theory of Change.
Our Values
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Inclusive: Respecting the unique worth of every person
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Supportive: Encouraging people to fulfil their potential
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Accountable: Encouraging responsible Stewardship
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Positive: Working with hope
How we’re changing childhoods
Our impact
Find out how we are changing the lives of children and young people across the UK. In 2022-23 we reached 373,200 people.
Our policy work
We try to get the voices of children, young people and families heard by the people who make decisions that affect them. To change lives, we need to change laws. We work across the four nations of the UK to help children and young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
You can make a difference
Together we can make systems work better for you and countless other children, young people and families. We listen to the views of the people we support, as well as the insights from our frontline services and our policy experts. We then make recommendations to decision makers about how they can change children’s lives for the better. But we can't do this alone.