Bournemouth | Posted on July 2nd, 2026 | return to news

Care leaver driving change for young people in Bournemouth

Ivy Forest, who was a child in care, has gone on to become a Housing Options Officer apprentice at BCP Council.

Ivy Forest didn’t have the easiest start in life, but she has succeeded in getting a rewarding job at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

A child in care, she remembers her belongings being packed into black bin bags as she moved from one home to another, an experience that left her feeling disposable.

Now aged 25, Ivy is working as a Housing Options Officer apprentice, helping families, children and young people stay in safe, stable homes and avoid the disruption she once faced herself.

Ivy played a key role in ending the use of bin bags for children in care locally, helping ensure young people are treated with dignity during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

Turning 25 marks a significant step into independent adulthood for care-experienced young people, when the council is no longer their ‘corporate parent’. For Ivy, this milestone highlights how her journey has helped shape the support now in place for others.

Motivated by her own unsettled childhood, Ivy is passionate about helping others, particularly children, feel safe, secure and supported.

Ivy said: “When I was younger, if we had to move from one family to another, all our belongings would be put into black bin bags. It made us feel like we were being thrown away all over again.

“Now, every young person coming into care is given a proper bag – a suitcase, a duffel bag or a rucksack – something that shows they matter.

“Today, I’m an apprentice with the Housing Options team, working in Early Help Homelessness Prevention. We support families to stay in their homes or move in a more planned way, so they don’t have to go into B&Bs or temporary accommodation. Those situations can really affect a child’s mental health, especially if they don’t feel safe.”

This shift, often referred to as ending ‘bin bag moves’, has helped ensure children in care are treated with care and respect during some of the most unsettled times in their lives.

Ivy’s journey began at 13 when she took part in Willow’s Story – a powerful drama project exploring the realities of life in care. Performed to council leaders, social workers and members of the judiciary, it gave a moving insight into how decisions affect young people and helped professionals better understand their experiences.

That early involvement sparked years of work improving services for children in care. Ivy later became co-chair of the Corporate Parenting Board alongside Cllr Richard Burton, helping to lead meetings, shape decisions and represent the voices of others growing up in care.

Alongside this, she has mentored younger children, contributed to service development and supported training and recruitment, helping ensure lived experience is embedded across services.

Cllr Burton, Cabinet member for Children and Young People at BCP Council, said: “I’ve always been so impressed by Ivy. Watching her grow in confidence and even chair meetings has been fantastic to see.

“She has made a real impact, not just by sharing her own voice, but by speaking up for other young people as well.

“She is a real inspiration, and it’s been a privilege to see everything she has achieved.

“Now an employee of BCP Council, she has gone from being a corporate child to a corporate parent, putting children at the heart of everything she does.”

Kelly Deane, director of Housing and Communities at BCP Council, said: “I remember meeting Ivy and being struck by her passion and determination. She challenged us to do better, and now she’s part of the team, working directly with people across BCP.

“I’m incredibly proud to see her flourishing and making such a positive contribution.”

Outside of work, Ivy enjoys spending time in nature, loves animals and is passionate about musical theatre. She will celebrate her 25th birthday this summer by seeing ‘The Waitress’ at the Bournemouth Pavilion.

As she moves into this next stage of her life, Ivy is stepping away from her role as a young person shaping children’s services but plans to continue giving back as an adult volunteer.

A short film has been created to mark her milestone and celebrate her achievements, while challenging stereotypes and highlighting what young people can achieve with the right support, stability and opportunities.

Ivy is also proud of her friends who have left care and gone on to achieve remarkable things, including becoming social workers, mental health workers, parents and university graduates.

Other care-experienced young people are now stepping forward to continue the work Ivy and her peers began over a decade ago. She has consistently encouraged others to use their voice and play a role in shaping the services designed to support them.

Cathi Hadley, director of Children’s Services at BCP Council, said: “I first met Ivy when she interviewed me for my role, and I was immediately struck by her confidence and thoughtfulness. From that point on, she has played an important role in shaping services for children and young people.

“Ivy represents exactly what can be achieved when young people are listened to, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. She should be incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished, and it has been a privilege to see her journey.”