Amina's Story - Building Hope in Hardship
When Amina was referred to Safer London by Social Care, she was facing multiple challenges.
Her 15-year-old son was at high risk of exploitation and the family was on a Child in Need plan. Social care hoped that specialist and dedicated family support from Safer London would help Amina feel more confident in managing risk and better understand the complexities of exploitation.
From the beginning, it was clear that Amina was navigating multiple challenges. Her concerns extended beyond her son’s safety - she was dealing with chronic pain, mental health struggles, and the stress of living in an overcrowded and inaccessible home.
Despite these pressures, Amina engaged consistently and openly with her caseworker. Amina was determined to make a change - not just for her son, but for herself.
Sessions began weekly and adapted over time to suit Aminas changing circumstances. The work focused on education around exploitation, peer influence and safety planning. Amina shared how the support helped her feel more confident to advocate for herself and her children.
With this confidence Amina advocated for her and her family to relocate out of London. Working together, her caseworker and housing partners helped Amina move from hotel accommodation to temporary housing and eventually secure a large family home.
The move was transformative. Amina described it as the best thing to happen to her family in years. She credited the support she received from her caseworker with helping her relocate, access safer housing and reduce the risk to her son.
Although her son was initially pulled back to London and arrested, with support from Amina, her caseworker and the wider professional network, he began to settle. He completed his GCSEs and started to adapt to life outside London.
As her environment and life become more stable, Amina’s mental health improved significantly. She described feeling clearer, more able to cope and better positioned to parent. Through consistent support, small but meaningful changes began to take root - in her wellbeing and her relationship with her son.
While challenges remain, there is now a foundation of safety and stability. Amina continues to navigate life with strength and determination, supported by a network that understands and adapts to her needs.
Amina's journey reflects how, even in the face of harm, hope can grow.
How we supported Amina
Specialist Family Caseworker
Parents and carers are allocated a single trauma-informed caseworker, who specialises in working one-to-one with parents/carers whose child/ren are caught up in cycles of violence, exploitation and harm. They work alongside parents/carers from 6 to 12 months (with support extending up to two years if required), providing support, advice and guidance to improve wellbeing, confidence and ability to keep their children safe.
Person Centred Support
The support is built around the parent and their needs. The session plans, session content and overall outcomes are influenced by the parent, with their voice being central to what the support looks like.
If you’re a young Londoner or parent whose worked with Safer London, and share us your story via email to inspire others. Make sure you let us know the name of your caseworker when you get in touch.