Carolyne Willow
@carolynewillow.bsky.social
Longtime children’s rights advocate. Founded Article 39 children’s rights charity. Now barrister at The Barrister Group. My own views here, obvs.
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
After living through the Nazi & atomic bomb eras, Tove Jansson writings would often encompass fearful ideas about loss of a familiar world. However she would balance this with characters who encompassed #kindness & #community, even in the darkest times #WomensArt #WorldKindnessDay
November 13, 2025 at 7:07 PM
After living through the Nazi & atomic bomb eras, Tove Jansson writings would often encompass fearful ideas about loss of a familiar world. However she would balance this with characters who encompassed #kindness & #community, even in the darkest times #WomensArt #WorldKindnessDay
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
Sky documentary about the death of a very young care leaver, Nonita Grabovskyte, and how we and @inquest-org.bsky.social joined forces to fight for justice for her. Link to documentary here: article39.org.uk/2025/11/11/a...
'A girl called Nonita': Sky documentary tells the shocking story of Nonita Grabovskyte, a young care leaver woefully failed by her corporate parent and others | Article 39
article39.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Sky documentary about the death of a very young care leaver, Nonita Grabovskyte, and how we and @inquest-org.bsky.social joined forces to fight for justice for her. Link to documentary here: article39.org.uk/2025/11/11/a...
Saw this hugely powerful, anger-making production last night in Derby. Catch it if you can. Thinking of my very dear friend Eric Allison who worked tirelessly with @shattenstone.bsky.social to bring to public view the reign of child abuse at Medomsley detention centre
graeae.org/event/bad-la...
graeae.org/event/bad-la...
Bad Lads - Graeae
graeae.org
November 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Saw this hugely powerful, anger-making production last night in Derby. Catch it if you can. Thinking of my very dear friend Eric Allison who worked tirelessly with @shattenstone.bsky.social to bring to public view the reign of child abuse at Medomsley detention centre
graeae.org/event/bad-la...
graeae.org/event/bad-la...
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
A veteran activist, who has spent her life campaigning for disability rights, has called on the government to fix the “rotten to the core” social care system, after experiencing “terrifying” treatment during a short stay in a care home.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/safeguarding...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/safeguarding...
Safeguarding probe launched after veteran disabled activist reports ‘terrifying’ care home experience
A veteran activist, who has spent her life campaigning for disability rights, has called on the government to fix the “rotten to the core” social care system, after experiencing “terrifying” treatm…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
A veteran activist, who has spent her life campaigning for disability rights, has called on the government to fix the “rotten to the core” social care system, after experiencing “terrifying” treatment during a short stay in a care home.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/safeguarding...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/safeguarding...
2025: a child in care is sleeping on a mattress on the floor in an ‘annex’. Ofsted visit prompted by a serious incident alert. Private company operating the annex illegally. Child’s place paid for by their LA / corporate parent. They will have a social worker and an independent reviewing officer.
October 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
2025: a child in care is sleeping on a mattress on the floor in an ‘annex’. Ofsted visit prompted by a serious incident alert. Private company operating the annex illegally. Child’s place paid for by their LA / corporate parent. They will have a social worker and an independent reviewing officer.
When giving oral evidence to Covid-19 Inquiry, I said whenever I encounter govt plans to remove or weaken safeguards for children in care I think about past inquiries & scandals. The death of Dennis O’Neill & the cruelty also inflicted on his brother, together with both boys’ bravery, often in mind.
The forgotten Shropshire tragedy that inspired The Mousetrap
The death of 12-year-old Dennis O’Neill in 1945 shocked Britain and led Agatha Christie to write her famous play The Mousetrap | Jonathan Calder
@centralbylines.co.uk @lordbonkers.bsky.social
The death of 12-year-old Dennis O’Neill in 1945 shocked Britain and led Agatha Christie to write her famous play The Mousetrap | Jonathan Calder
@centralbylines.co.uk @lordbonkers.bsky.social
The forgotten Shropshire tragedy that inspired The Mousetrap
The death of 12-year-old Dennis O’Neill in 1945 shocked Britain and led Agatha Christie to write her famous play The Mousetrap
centralbylines.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
When giving oral evidence to Covid-19 Inquiry, I said whenever I encounter govt plans to remove or weaken safeguards for children in care I think about past inquiries & scandals. The death of Dennis O’Neill & the cruelty also inflicted on his brother, together with both boys’ bravery, often in mind.
Been reminded (through anniversary of a family wedding I missed 😬) that it’s 29 years since the residential weekend laying the ground for the formation of A National Voice organisation run by and for care experienced people.
Anyone on here who attended, I still have group photos!
Anyone on here who attended, I still have group photos!
October 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Been reminded (through anniversary of a family wedding I missed 😬) that it’s 29 years since the residential weekend laying the ground for the formation of A National Voice organisation run by and for care experienced people.
Anyone on here who attended, I still have group photos!
Anyone on here who attended, I still have group photos!
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
Vital work of museum of homelessness @ourmoh.bsky.social
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
Our investigation finds that 1611 people experiencing homelessness died in 2024 - a 9% increase on the previous year. — Museum of Homelessness
We are devastated to share our latest research into the deaths of those who die. It has revealed the continued impact at the sharpest edge of the homelessness crisis, as the Labour Government has fail...
museumofhomelessness.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Vital work of museum of homelessness @ourmoh.bsky.social
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
bringing to light the shocking reality of deaths of people experiencing homelessness. museumofhomelessness.org/news/new-res...
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
UK Covid-19 Inquiry, day 1 hearing: strong and consistent calls for making the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child fully part of UK law
article39.org.uk/uk-covid-19-...
article39.org.uk/uk-covid-19-...
UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 8 hearings - day 1 (29 September 2025) | Article 39
article39.org.uk
September 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
UK Covid-19 Inquiry, day 1 hearing: strong and consistent calls for making the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child fully part of UK law
article39.org.uk/uk-covid-19-...
article39.org.uk/uk-covid-19-...
Very grateful to Chambers for supporting me to concentrate on assisting @article39.bsky.social over the next month, during the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's module on children and young people. Hearings start Monday 29 September, going through to 23 October. More here:
article39.org.uk/2025/09/26/i...
article39.org.uk/2025/09/26/i...
Impact on children of government decision-making during the pandemic to be focus of UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearings across next four weeks | Article 39
article39.org.uk
September 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Very grateful to Chambers for supporting me to concentrate on assisting @article39.bsky.social over the next month, during the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's module on children and young people. Hearings start Monday 29 September, going through to 23 October. More here:
article39.org.uk/2025/09/26/i...
article39.org.uk/2025/09/26/i...
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
It is, frankly, devastating to see councils campaigning for MORE supported accommodation, which is increasingly used to house children in care as young as 16, often sharing premises with vulnerable adults. By law, no ‘care’ can be provided.
www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...
www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...
Councils call for government investment in supported housing - CYP Now
The supply of supported accommodation including for care leavers could fail to meet demand without appropriate government investment, the Local Government Association (LGA) is warning.
www.cypnow.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 7:22 AM
It is, frankly, devastating to see councils campaigning for MORE supported accommodation, which is increasingly used to house children in care as young as 16, often sharing premises with vulnerable adults. By law, no ‘care’ can be provided.
www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...
www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...
Why was Prison Officers Association speaking about its members working in Oasis Restore secure school on @channel4news.bsky.social when this is legally meant to be a secure children’s home, not a child prison?
August 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Why was Prison Officers Association speaking about its members working in Oasis Restore secure school on @channel4news.bsky.social when this is legally meant to be a secure children’s home, not a child prison?
Due to one child’s needs, waking night staff in place for 8 months. Yet this is meant to be accommodation for children able to live with high degree of independence (a fiction in itself).
This was always policy development full of risks for children, designed by last government for LAs in crisis.
This was always policy development full of risks for children, designed by last government for LAs in crisis.
Ofsted’s new inspection regime for so-called supported accommodation for children in care is revealing just how bad this provision is.
This summary relates to a provider called Rubi Living Ltd:
This summary relates to a provider called Rubi Living Ltd:
August 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Due to one child’s needs, waking night staff in place for 8 months. Yet this is meant to be accommodation for children able to live with high degree of independence (a fiction in itself).
This was always policy development full of risks for children, designed by last government for LAs in crisis.
This was always policy development full of risks for children, designed by last government for LAs in crisis.
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
A reflection on my care files, three years after sharing “An open letter to the social worker who wrote my case notes”, which ended up going viral at the time.
Here’s how my perspective has shifted:
(Original letter available at basw.co.uk/articles/ope...)
Here’s how my perspective has shifted:
(Original letter available at basw.co.uk/articles/ope...)
July 18, 2025 at 10:36 PM
A reflection on my care files, three years after sharing “An open letter to the social worker who wrote my case notes”, which ended up going viral at the time.
Here’s how my perspective has shifted:
(Original letter available at basw.co.uk/articles/ope...)
Here’s how my perspective has shifted:
(Original letter available at basw.co.uk/articles/ope...)
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
About half of the 100+ Ofsted inspections published so far have identified concerns, some very serious.
July 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
About half of the 100+ Ofsted inspections published so far have identified concerns, some very serious.
Excellent that Education Committee has urged Department for Education to amend legislation to ensure all children in care receive care where they live. (Report published this week.)
❗Several thousand 16 and 17 year-olds in care are currently housed in accommodation where they *receive no care*.
❗Several thousand 16 and 17 year-olds in care are currently housed in accommodation where they *receive no care*.
July 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Excellent that Education Committee has urged Department for Education to amend legislation to ensure all children in care receive care where they live. (Report published this week.)
❗Several thousand 16 and 17 year-olds in care are currently housed in accommodation where they *receive no care*.
❗Several thousand 16 and 17 year-olds in care are currently housed in accommodation where they *receive no care*.
Reposted by Carolyne Willow
These children are too vulnerable to live in supported accommodation and staff are not able to keep them safe.
July 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
These children are too vulnerable to live in supported accommodation and staff are not able to keep them safe.
Got mine from the wonderful @fiveleavesbooks.bsky.social, read last week on holiday and, wow, is it a powerful, moving, energising read.
July 8, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Got mine from the wonderful @fiveleavesbooks.bsky.social, read last week on holiday and, wow, is it a powerful, moving, energising read.
Sorting out my study, stopped in tracks to marvel once more at this beautiful book written by the exceptional human being Micheline Mason. A primer in human rights, this wonderful book powerfully communicates the social model of disability for parents primarily, though is a gift to all.
June 15, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Sorting out my study, stopped in tracks to marvel once more at this beautiful book written by the exceptional human being Micheline Mason. A primer in human rights, this wonderful book powerfully communicates the social model of disability for parents primarily, though is a gift to all.
Inquest concluded yesterday into the preventable death of a very young and vulnerable care leaver. Litany of failings.
PLEASE NOTE: @article39.bsky.social & @inquest-org.bsky.social joint statement contains lots of distressing information, including about suicide.
article39.org.uk/2025/05/23/n...
PLEASE NOTE: @article39.bsky.social & @inquest-org.bsky.social joint statement contains lots of distressing information, including about suicide.
article39.org.uk/2025/05/23/n...
Nonita Grabovskyte: Inquest into death of young care leaver finds catalogue of serious failings by corporate parent and other agencies contributed to her death | Article 39
article39.org.uk
May 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Inquest concluded yesterday into the preventable death of a very young and vulnerable care leaver. Litany of failings.
PLEASE NOTE: @article39.bsky.social & @inquest-org.bsky.social joint statement contains lots of distressing information, including about suicide.
article39.org.uk/2025/05/23/n...
PLEASE NOTE: @article39.bsky.social & @inquest-org.bsky.social joint statement contains lots of distressing information, including about suicide.
article39.org.uk/2025/05/23/n...
Government has authorised use of PAVA spray on children in three prisons. Latest data on children in prison:
❗️63% were formerly in care
❗️53% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
❗️44% have health problems
❗️35% are disabled
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
❗️63% were formerly in care
❗️53% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
❗️44% have health problems
❗️35% are disabled
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
April 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Government has authorised use of PAVA spray on children in three prisons. Latest data on children in prison:
❗️63% were formerly in care
❗️53% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
❗️44% have health problems
❗️35% are disabled
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
❗️63% were formerly in care
❗️53% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
❗️44% have health problems
❗️35% are disabled
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Will new corporate parenting responsibilities transform England’s children’s care system. My latest blog on Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: thebarristergroup.co.uk/blog/the-chi...
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Transforming England’s Children’s Care System
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a landmark development proposed in 2022, completed its first passage through the House of Commons last month. It now includes a set of corporate parenting re...
thebarristergroup.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Will new corporate parenting responsibilities transform England’s children’s care system. My latest blog on Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: thebarristergroup.co.uk/blog/the-chi...