For more than four decades, Steve Chalke has been working to improve the lives of vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK.
As founder of Oasis, Steve has helped establish schools, housing projects, youth services and community initiatives in some of Britain's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. His work has consistently focused on one central belief: people flourish when they belong.
In this episode of Care Visions Professional Talk, Humphrey Hawksley sits down with Steve to explore why so many children continue to fall through the cracks despite significant investment in services, programmes and interventions.
Steve argues that while funding is important, meaningful change happens when local communities are empowered, trusted and supported to create solutions themselves. He discusses the growing challenges facing children today, including poverty, school exclusion, criminal exploitation, gang involvement and social isolation.
A central part of the discussion is the story of "Billy", a young person whose experience of loss, loneliness and grooming illustrates how vulnerable children can become trapped in cycles of exploitation and offending. Steve explains why many young people involved in crime are not simply offenders, but children who have never experienced the safety, belonging and support they need.
The conversation also explores:
• Why child poverty and inequality continue to grow in the UK
• The role of community in preventing exploitation and youth violence
• How organised crime targets vulnerable young people
• Why belonging is a protective factor for children
• The limitations of traditional funding and intervention models
• Supporting grassroots organisations and community-led change
• Therapeutic approaches to youth justice and rehabilitation
• Why young people often need a first chance rather than a second chance
• The importance of trust, relationships and long-term support
• New approaches to children's homes, supported housing and education
• How hope can become practical action rather than empty optimism
Later in the episode, Danny Henderson from Care Visions joins the discussion to reflect on therapeutic care, residential childcare and how trusting relationships help young people recover from adversity.
This conversation offers valuable insights for social workers, residential childcare practitioners, foster carers, teachers, youth workers, policy makers and anyone interested in creating better outcomes for children and young people.
As Steve says, there is no "A-Team" coming to solve these challenges for us. Change happens when communities, organisations and individuals work together to create places where children can belong, feel safe and build hope for the future.
Guest: Steve Chalke
Host: Humphrey Hawksley
Featuring: Danny Henderson
To learn more about Steve Chalke and Oasis, visit:
Oasis UK
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52 mins
Apr 15 20261 hr and 16 mins