--- title: Life stories description: Support children in care through life story work, helping them understand their identity and past. Create a meaningful record of their time with you. --- Decrease text size A- | Increase text size A+ | High contrast mode - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Foster care](https://caspa.org.au/foster-care) - [Children & young people](https://caspa.org.au/our-services/children-and-young-people) - [Disability services](https://caspa.org.au/disability-services) - [Education](https://caspa.org.au/education) - [Family and carer support](https://caspa.org.au/family-and-carer-support) - [Allied health services](https://caspa.org.au/allied-health-services) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [Our people](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/our-people) - [Our impact](https://caspa.org.au/our-impact) - [Our mission ](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/what-motivates-us) - Our initiatives - [CASPA Foundation](https://caspafoundation.org.au/caspa-foundation) - [Lawyers 4 Hope](https://lawyers4hope.org.au/home) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Become a carer](https://caspa.org.au/become-a-carer) - [Volunteer](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer) - [Partner with us](https://caspa.org.au/partner-with-us) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [News & media](https://caspa.org.au/news-media) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [After hours support](https://caspa.org.au/after-hours) - [Disaster support](https://caspa.org.au/disaster-support) [ Search ](https://caspa.org.au/life-stories#) [ Donate ](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer?hsLang=en) accessibility controls [Home](https://caspa.org.au/?hsLang=en) [ Conscious carer hub ](https://caspa.org.au/conscious-carer-hub?hsLang=en) Life stories ## Life stories Life story work is a meaningful way to help children and young people in care make sense of their experiences, understand their identity, and feel connected to their past. Through creating a life story book, carers can support children to record and preserve memories, milestones, and achievements, giving them a valuable personal record to carry into adulthood. What is a life story book? For children in care, life can often feel like a patchwork of transitions: new homes, schools, and relationships. These changes can leave them feeling uncertain about who they are or where they belong. Life story work helps address this by creating a written and visual record of their life journey. A life story book serves as a personal keepsake, capturing key moments, family connections, and meaningful experiences. It provides a safe space for children to reflect on their past and celebrate their growth, both socially and emotionally. For many, it becomes a treasured source of insight and understanding as they grow older. What can be included in a life story book? A life story book is as unique as the child it belongs to. While the content will vary based on what the child feels comfortable sharing, here are some ideas of what it might include: - A written history of their life from birth to the present. - Photos from everyday moments, special events, and significant places. - Drawings, letters, and cards. - Report cards, certificates, and awards. - Maps, postcards, or images of important locations. - A family tree or relationship chart. - Information about their culture, religion, and heritage. - Mementos like tickets, souvenirs, or small personal items. ### Your role as a carer As a carer, you play a central part in supporting life story work. While caseworkers may set up the framework for a life story book, you spend the most time with the child, making you the ideal person to gather photos, keepsakes, and memories. Life story work is a collaborative process, often involving the child’s family, kin, or even counsellors. Your role is to help the child feel safe, respected, and in control of their story. Ways to support life story work - **Encourage regular updates**  Schedule time to sit with the child and add to their book. This can be a relaxing and bonding experience. - **Respect privacy** Explain that their life story book is personal and confidential. They choose who it can be shared with. - **Create a safe space** Agree on a secure place to store the book so it feels like something they truly own. - **Capture everyday moments** Take photos during birthdays, school events, or other milestones and help them add meaningful mementos. - **Move at their pace** Let the child lead the process and avoid rushing. Sensitive topics might take time to explore. - **Acknowledge all experiences** Celebrate happy moments while addressing difficult times sensitively and without judgment. Supporting transitions Even if a placement is temporary, helping a child create a life story book can provide consistency and a sense of stability. Ensure the book goes with them when they leave your care, giving them something tangible to connect the past with their future. If details about their early years are missing, general information about childhood development or family culture can help fill the gaps. Work with your caseworker to ensure sensitive events are discussed in an age-appropriate and empathetic way. Why life story work matters Life story work is about more than preserving memories. It’s about fostering a sense of identity, belonging, and resilience. By helping children understand and celebrate their journey, you give them the tools to grow into confident and self-aware adults. Above all, be a listener. Be there to answer questions, provide reassurance, and guide them through moments of discovery. Life story work is a collaborative and evolving process, and your support can make a lasting difference in their lives. ### Remember By creating space for children to tell their story on their own terms you show them they are valued, heard, and worthy of love and respect. That’s a gift they’ll carry with them long after the pages of their life story book are complete. #### Stay up to date & subscribe to our CASPA community ##### Improving the lives of at-risk children, their families and people with disabilities is at the heart of what we do. ##### Together we thrive. We acknowledge the First Nations People upon whose stolen lands we operate. CASPA recognises that the land belonging to these peoples was never ceded, given up, bought or sold. We recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and sky. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging. CASPA welcomes and celebrates diversity. 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