Untold Stories: A Discussion of Life Story Work

Abstract

This article by Polly Baynes focuses on life story work with looked after children and is based on her 20 years' experience as a practitioner, independent life story work trainer and mentor, independent reviewing officer and children's guardian. The article traces the history of life story work and considers how changes within social work have affected practice, and are played out within the narratives that we create for children who cannot live with their birth families. The re-emergence of life story work within the current ‘target-led, evidence-based’ culture of social work is discussed and the impact of attitudes to gender, poverty and professional accountability is considered. Finally, there is a discussion of respectful practice with children and the issue of social work power, as manifested in the writing of children's stories.