Emily*, aged 23, first came to St Michael’s in the Spring of 2025 with her newborn daughter after being referred for a 12-week residential parenting assessment. Professionals had concerns about Emily’s vulnerability as a young mother with additional learning needs, and previous experiences of being exploited. 

Towards the end of the assessment, Emily was introduced to Ann-Marie, our Securing Change Practitioner, to support her transition back into the community. 

Following the assessment, the team made the difficult decision for Emily’s daughter to be placed in foster care with a plan for adoption. 

The outcome was “devastating” for Emily, who had hoped she would be able to return home with her daughter. 

Initially, Emily found it difficult to engage with Ann-Marie as she tried to come to terms with the separation from her daughter. However, over time, trust developed between them. 

“I realised I did want her help,” Emily reflected. 

Over the past nine months, Ann-Marie has worked alongside Emily to help her rebuild her life and regain confidence. 

When Emily left St Michael’s, she was living with family members and sleeping downstairs on a reclining chair. One of Ann-Marie’s first priorities was to help her secure supported accommodation, providing both stability and the additional support Emily needed while encouraging her to develop the confidence and skills to live independently. 

Together, they have also explored what healthy relationships look like. Following experiences of being exploited by people she believed were friends and partners, Emily has started to learn how to recognise patterns of unhealthy behaviours, taking time to build trust, and make safer relationship choices in the future. 

As Ann-Marie explains: 

“Emily has a lot of love to give, but it’s important that love is given to people who genuinely care about her.” 

Since moving into her own home, Emily has continued to develop practical life skills with Ann-Marie’s support, including managing her finances, cooking (in particular enjoying the Jamaican recipes Ann-Marie has introduced her to) and accessing emotional wellbeing support through talking therapy with Total Wellbeing. 

Ann-Marie has also helped Emily join the waiting list for the Freedom Programme with Stepping Stones and has supported her through ongoing court processes relating to her daughter. 

Today, Emily is living independently and looking ahead to the future. 

Although she did not enjoy her time at school, she recognises that completing her education will provide more opportunities and her love of animals has become a powerful motivation. 

“I just love animals so much,” Emily says. 

Emily hopes to return to college in September and begin volunteering or working with animals, taking positive steps towards a future where she feels confident, fulfilled and surrounded by healthy, supportive relationships. 

*not real name.