Life Journey newsletters & bulletins

Family

Life Journey Work is recognised as a vital part of the work that needs to be done with all children looked after, but especially those who are being adopted.

How did Life Journey Work begin?

NAS published its Life Journey Work Framework in 2018 and associated with this, brought together a wealth of resources in the form of a LJW toolkit, which is freely available on our website. This was the first such framework in the UK. The aim was to ensure that high quality Life Journey Work is undertaken at key points from when a child first becomes ‘looked after’, through to the time they join their adoptive family and beyond. There has been great progress made since that time, in ensuring that Life Journey materials are made available to children and their adoptive parents in a timely manner.

Our Newsletters

Following the LJW Framework the first NAS Life Journey Work newsletter was published in 2021 and annually every year after until 2025. Each newsletter had a specific focus on different topics, which allowed the development and sharing of good practice and resources across Wales. Since 2025, the newsletter has evolved into a shorter bulletin in preparation for the expansion of the life journey work content on the National Adoption Service website and these bulletins will continue to highlight useful content on the website for everyone to access.

Family

Newsletter 2021 

Read the latest updates on Life Journey Work across Wales, including national performance measures, the key components of good-quality Life Journey Work, developments across regions, the Life Journey Work Toolkit and the Later Life Letter Checklist.

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Family

Newsletter 2022 

Explore the latest Life Journey Work guidance and resources, including the national framework, how Life Journey Work can adapt across a child’s development, good practice for Later Life Letters, the Trauma Nurture Timeline and Understanding the Child Days, and learning from the Katie Wrench workshop.

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Family

Newsletter 2023

This edition focuses on Life Journey Work during the teenage years and beyond, exploring young people’s views, the teenage brain, how Life Journey Work can develop during adolescence, and useful resources for supporting teenagers and young adults.

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Family

Newsletter 2024 

This edition explores the theme ‘It takes a village…’, focusing on the important contribution different people can make to Life Journey Work. It includes perspectives from key professionals, reflections from a young adopted person on Life Journey Work and birth family contact, and information on the NAS Life Journey Work Framework and Good Practice Guide.

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Family

Newsletter 2025 

This ‘Baby Steps’ edition focuses on beginning Life Journey Work conversations, particularly with children aged 0–6. It explores storytelling, play-based activities and age-appropriate resources, alongside a young person’s reflections on adoption and identity, and information about peer support for parents.

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Family

Bulletin 2025  

This bulletin provides practical, easy-to-use guidance on Life Journey Work, with five top tips for adopters supporting their child’s Life Journey Work and five top tips for professionals producing high-quality Life Journey Books.

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