Kids Company’s unfinished business

At the heart of Camila’s and Kids Company’s mission was not just the provision of care but also a bold vision for systemic change in how the UK protects its most vulnerable children. Camila, alongside her dedicated team, understood that no amount of frontline support could compensate for a system that was fundamentally overstretched and failing young people.

This belief led to See the Child, Change the System, a national initiative advocating for the urgent reform of children’s services. It built upon the findings of the 2014 Enough is Enough report, published by the Centre for Social Justice, which exposed deep-rooted failures in statutory child protection services. Based on in-depth investigations, testimonies, and reviews of children’s case files, the report called for a root-and-branch overhaul of the system, recommending the establishment of a royal commission on children’s services.

Despite gaining support from major professional bodies, the See the Child, Change the System campaign was abruptly halted following the closure of Kids Company in 2015. As a result, the vision for a fairer, more effective child protection system was left unrealised.

Tragically, the need for reform remains as urgent as ever. The heartbreaking case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, whose murder led to yet another serious case review, serves as a stark reminder that the system is still struggling to prevent catastrophic failures. Time and time again, inquiries expose the same gaps, yet meaningful change remains elusive.

This short film, shown in over 200 cinemas across the UK in early 2015, highlights the voices of children and professionals calling for urgent reforms. It remains a powerful reminder that real change in children’s services is long overdue.

Today, as Kids Company’s supporters challenge the lawfulness of the Charity Commission’s report in a judicial review, it’s important to reflect on the broader context. Kids Company was not just about crisis intervention – it was about reimagining child protection. While the organisation may no longer exist, its legacy of advocacy for systemic reform must not be forgotten.

It’s also a moment to reignite a conversation about what truly matters: the wellbeing of the children who still need a system that works for them, not against them.