Life Journey Work
Life Journey Work helps adopted children and young people understand their story in a way that is honest, age-appropriate and supportive. It is an ongoing process that helps children make sense of their experiences, relationships and identity as they grow. Children and families may return to these conversations many times. Life Journey Work provides guidance, tools and support to help those conversations happen in a thoughtful and supportive way.
Why Life Journey Work is important?
All children in Wales, who are unable to be cared for by their birth families, need to have an understanding of their family history and of their unique journey.
Life Journey Work is designed to help a child make sense of their past and understand their current situation in order to help them to move into the future.
Life Journey Work should support the child’s identity, promote self-esteem, help give the child a sense of belonging, wellbeing and support good mental health.
Life Journey Work provides:
- An opportunity and a structure for the child to explore their emotions and talk about painful issues
- Children with important factual information
- It provides a narrative / explanations for the Child
- It preserves memories.
(Taken from the National Adoption Service (NAS) Life Journey Work Good Practice Guide).
For adopters and families
Guidance, activities and support to help you talk with your child about their life story, understand Life Journey Work, and find help when conversations feel difficult.
For adopters and families
For professionals working in adoption
Guidance, frameworks and resources to support Life Journey Work practice with adopted children and their families.
For professionalsLife Journey Work is an ongoing process that helps children understand their story as they grow. Whether you are supporting a child as a family member or through your professional role, the aim is to help them explore their past in a way that is honest, safe and supportive.
