Kids Company

Kids Company supports National Family Week. The family doesn't always have to be biological - what binds us all is loving care and the reciprocal exchange of attachment, by which we're hugely enriched. The family is everywhere.
Camila Batmanghelidjh, Founder and Director

Website: www.kidsco.org.uk

Kids Company was established by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996 in order to provide practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. Kids Company's services are inclusive - all children are welcome and we never turn a child away. Many of the 12,000 children who access our interventions present with severe emotional, behavioural and social difficulties, resulting from significant experiences of trauma and neglect. Many are "lone children" living in chronic deprivation, with limited or no support from the adults in their family.

Kids Company's services are child-centred, holistic and relationship-based. We advocate on behalf of vulnerable children, seeking access to statutory resources where possible and solving practical problems in the hope of restoring some consistency to their lives, and so reducing the extent of their loneliness and trauma. Over 95% of the children we support refer themselves to us or are referred by their peers.

A sample of the case histories of young people accessing one street level centre shows clients having faced the following problems: homelessness (84%); criminal involvement (81%); substance misuse (82%); emotional difficulties (87%); sustained trauma during childhood (83%); being a young carer (39%). Since joining Kids Company, 87% had been reintegrated into education or employment; of those with a history of criminal involvement 88% had reduced involvement due to Kids Company's interventions (University of London, 2008).

Our Philosophy

Kids Company aims to promote and support emotional well-being. The mechanisms through which this is achieved are grounded within attachment theory and a belief in the importance of "loving care". Experience has taught us that children who experience trauma, abuse and neglect cope with their pain by shutting down their capacities to feel. Kids Company believes that punishing these children cements their emotional coldness; the healing process can only take place if sustained, caring relationships are developed in which both their practical and emotional needs are addressed.

Kids Company is advanced in its service delivery. We employ a multi-disciplinary team at street level, using the latest neuro-physiological thinking to deliver therapeutic provisions which are both preventative and reparative, through two centres in south London. We also offer therapeutic services in over 30 schools. 97% of our young people describe Kids Company's services as effective. In 2007 Kids Company was awarded the Liberty and Justice Human Rights Award.