22/07/2026
Last week marked a significant milestone for SBCH as we hosted our very first Leaders Forum, bringing together over 70 colleagues from across the organisation for a day of reflection, learning and open discussion.
As well as celebrating the progress we’ve made over the past year, the most powerful reminder of why we do what we do came from hearing first-hand about the difference our colleagues make to the lives of .
We were privileged to hear from R, who previously lived in one of our homes. She spoke openly about the challenges she faced before coming into our care, including abuse and self-harm, and how the support of our team helped her rebuild her confidence and stop self-harming.
R also shared the lasting impact of the relationships she built with our team, particularly with Home Manager Mark, who helped her overcome her fear and mistrust of men. Today, she feels able to trust others and is optimistic about building a happy future of her own, including one day having a family. Although R has since moved on, our team continues to check in on her wellbeing – a testament to the lasting relationships they build.
We also welcomed Chris Wild, Director of Foster Greatness UK, who shared his lived experience of care and his work to improve outcomes for care-experienced people. An insightful Q&A with an Regulatory Inspection Manager explored the leadership and child-centred approaches that help create outstanding homes.
The Leaders Forum marks the beginning of what will become an annual tradition, bringing colleagues together to learn, listen, share ideas and reflect on the values that define SBCH.
Above all, it was a reminder of our commitment to – and of why the work we do matters so much to the children and young people we support.
