Care Day is the world’s largest celebration of children and young people who have experienced life in care.
Care‑experienced people often face heightened vulnerability, not because of who they are, but because of the instability, systemic shortcomings, and at times, unsafe environments they have had to navigate. National campaigns like Care Day shine a spotlight on these realities and reinforce why trauma‑informed, victim‑centred legal support is essential.
At Enable Law, our Abuse Team works with children, young people and adults who have experienced trauma, neglect, exploitation or institutional failures – issues that disproportionately affect those who have been through the care system.
Understanding the legal landscape
When local authorities fail to act promptly to safeguard children from harm, the consequences can be devastating. In the UK, Councils have a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to protect children at risk of significant harm. Failure to remove a child from an unsafe environment in time can lead to serious injury, trauma, and, increasingly, legal claims for damages.
Local authorities are legally obligated to:
- Assess risk promptly when concerns are raised.
- Take protective measures, including initiating Care Proceedings where necessary.
- Act in the child’s best interests, prioritising safety and welfare.
Delays in intervention can occur due to resource constraints, procedural errors, or misjudgement of risk. When these delays result in harm, affected individuals may pursue compensation. Failure to remove children from harmful environments promptly is not just a safeguarding issue, it’s a legal and moral one. As awareness grows, local authorities must strengthen their systems to protect vulnerable children and avoid costly litigation.
Amplifying voices
Care Day’s purpose, to celebrate and connect care‑experienced people, resonates strongly with our commitment to ensuring survivors’ voices are heard, respected and believed. We help clients share their experiences in ways that protect their wellbeing while enabling them to access justice and accountability.
Recognising systemic failures
Care Day acknowledges that many care‑experienced individuals have lived in environments that were intended to protect them but, in reality, often caused harm. Our Abuse Team regularly supports clients whose safeguarding was compromised by the very institutions responsible for their welfare, including local authorities, residential homes, foster placements and schools. These individual experiences frequently mirror the wider systemic issues highlighted on Care Day.
We have supported children for whom the organisations tasked with keeping them safe failed to act, even when clear signs of risk were present. We have also represented children who, following intervention, were not placed in appropriate care and were denied the legal protection, stability and care planning they urgently needed. As a result, they were left vulnerable to years of avoidable disruption, emotional harm and uncertainty about their future.
By recognising these failings, we continue to press for safer practices, stronger oversight and greater accountability across the care sector.
Supporting healing and justice
For many survivors, the legal process is a crucial step towards healing. Care Day’s emphasis on community, understanding, and empowerment mirrors our trauma‑informed approach, working sensitively with clients, prioritising their safety, and ensuring they are supported throughout their legal journey.
Our commitment on Care Day and beyond
Enable Law stands alongside care‑experienced people, not just on Care Day but every day. We are committed to:
- Providing specialist legal support to survivors of abuse and neglect;
- Challenging systems that fail children and young people;
- Advocating for safer care environments;
- Recognising the courage of those who come forward to tell their story.
Care Day is a powerful reminder that every child and young person deserves to grow up safe, supported and heard. The experiences and voices highlighted each year strengthen our resolve to continue fighting for justice and positive change.
How Enable Law can help
Our Abuse Team is here to listen and help. Whether your experience relates to childhood trauma, institutional abuse, or failures in care, you can contact us confidentially to discuss your options and next steps.
Give us a call on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form and a member of the team will you back at a convenient time for you. You deserve safety, justice and to be heard.
Together, we can ensure that every care‑experienced person is valued, protected, and empowered – not just on Care Day, but throughout their whole lives.
