In this episode of Trauma Informed Conversations, Jessica Parker, Director at Trauma Informed Consultancy Services (TICS), speaks with Carrie Wilson, TICS Collaboration and Innovation Lead, following Carrie’s powerful appearance on BBC Breakfast discussing care-experienced people, accommodation, and the systemic issues that urgently need to change. Their conversation builds on the brilliant coverage of Terry Galloway’s work to create spaces where care-experienced young people can develop the key life skills our systems too often fail to provide.

Together, Jessica and Carrie reflect in more depth on the themes raised during the broadcast, exploring the emotional, practical and structural realities that sit behind public narratives. This discussion also connects closely to Carrie’s PhD research, which examines the lived experiences of care-experienced young people and the systemic conditions that shape their journeys.

Carrie offers an honest exploration of family privilege—the invisible safety nets and everyday advantages many young people inherit without ever naming them—and how the absence of those supports profoundly shapes the experiences and outcomes of care-experienced people. Drawing on Sieta’s research, they discuss how evidence exposes persistent structural inequalities and illustrates how current systems can retraumatise rather than support young people.

They examine the reality of forced independence, where care-experienced young people are expected to take on adult responsibilities prematurely, often while navigating extremely restrictive budgets that limit choice, dignity and developmental opportunity.

The conversation also includes a discussion about the importance of trauma-informed understanding and responses, with reference to the work of organisations such as Madlug. Jessica and Carrie reflect on how Madlug recognises the trauma created by the undignified and dehumanising use of bin bags to move children and young people and their belongings while in the care system, and how dignity-centred approaches are essential for systemic change.

Finally, they explore their shared passion for research, education and lived-experience-led practice, and how these commitments have shaped the development of the Researcher & Educator Suite—a growing collection of trauma-informed, evidence-driven learning tools designed to support practitioners, educators and leaders.

• The context behind Carrie’s BBC Breakfast interview and why these national conversations must go further.
• How this discussion connects to Carrie’s PhD research on care experience and systemic conditions.
• The concept of family privilege, and how unequal foundations shape opportunity, resilience and long-term wellbeing.
• Key insights from Sieta’s research and what the evidence reveals about structural inequalities and systemic failures.
• The emotional and developmental impact of forced independence on care-experienced young people.
• How restrictive budgets shape daily life, decision-making and identity.
• The importance of trauma-informed understanding and dignity-centred responses, including the trauma caused by moving young people’s belongings in bin bags.
• How Jessica and Carrie’s shared research interests led to the creation of the Researcher & Educator Suite, supporting trauma-responsive practice across sectors.

• Trauma-Informed Research with Care-Experienced People – for researchers, practitioners and organisations who want to design research and consultation that is ethical, collaborative, and grounded in care.
• Trauma-Informed Record Keeping exploring how the words we use (in records, reports, media, and everyday practice) can either retraumatise or support healing.
• Bespoke consultancy and facilitation – supporting teams to embed trauma-informed principles into strategy, participation, and lived-experience involvement.

You can find out more about our upcoming training and bespoke support at ticservicesltd.com, or get in touch with us directly to explore a tailored package lyndsay@ticservicesltd.com