We’re thrilled to share a special contribution for World Care Day 2025 from Sarah Morris. Sarah grew up in out-of-home care from the age of 13 and is now a Research Fellow in the Department of Social Work at Monash University.
As a care-experienced individual, my journey began at the age of 13 when I became a “ward of the state” due to domestic violence and neglect. Entering residential care during my formative years posed significant challenges, particularly in my education. In Year 9, I was deemed “unfit for mainstream education” by both educational and DHHS staff (now DFFH). However, these setbacks did not define me; instead, they ignited a fierce determination to forge my own path.
Today, I proudly reflect on a longstanding career within the Human Services Sector. I obtained both a Bachelor of Human Services and a Master of Social Work in 2020 from La Trobe University, proving that remarkable achievements can be made despite adversity. Currently, I serve as a Research Fellow at Monash University, where I have contributed to numerous publications and had the privilege of speaking at both national and international conferences.
My commitment to making a difference extends beyond academia. I hold several influential roles: as an Editorial Board Member for the Children Australia Journal, an Expert Advisory Committee Member and Lived Experience Committee Member for the Bridge It Foundation, a Keynote Speaker for Challenge the Label, and a Social Work Industry Advisory Committee Member at RMIT. Additionally, I operate Sarah Jade Consulting, where I strive to assist organisations to embed lived-experience to enhance deliverable services. This transformative approach not only enriches service design but also cultivates empathy, understanding, and inclusivity within organisational frameworks, ultimately driving impactful change and aimed at improving outcomes for young people.
Through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering spirit, I have achieved what once seemed impossible. I’ve travelled to 18 different countries (and counting), raised a tenacious young teenager who inspires me daily, and influenced social policies that aim to improve the lives of others.
On this World Care Day, we celebrate every journey—recognising that no two stories are alike. My path may have been fraught with obstacles, but it has also been filled with triumphs that remind us all: through resilience and determination, we can overcome adversity and create meaningful change. Let us honour every young person in care today—their achievements, their strength, and their unique stories that contribute to the rich tapestry of our shared human experience.
I hope my story inspires other care-experienced young people to relentlessly chase their dreams. What seems impossible today—whether overcoming obstacles or breaking barriers—can become reality through determination and willpower. The journey may be filled with challenges and doubt, but these trials forge true resilience and self-strength. When you harness your ambitions and pair them with perseverance, you create a path toward a future full of possibilities, as every great achievement starts as an idea that seemed out of reach; through commitment and hard work, those ideas become realities worth living for.
World Care Day 2025
Celebrating Every Journey
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