Trauma-Informed Researcher & Evaluator | Care-Experienced Transitions, Poverty & Social Policy | Programme Design & Systems Change
BA (Hons) International Relations, MA (Merit) Childhood, Youth and Social Policy
Join me in a journey of combining lived experience, consulting, training, and research to drive impactful change.
As an internationally recognised and respected Social Care Expert, Carrie Wilson Consulting provides trauma-informed research, consultancy, training, facilitation and evaluation across social care, education and community systems.
Carrie has worked and presented internationally, including the USA, Australia, Malta, Croatia, Italy and all of the UK. Working across diverse sectors, from International EU parliament policy makers, to local authorities, charities, trusts, schools and national organisations, and of course those with Lived Experiences of the services she works to improve, to design and deliver work that is both analytically robust and relationally grounded.
Her consultancy service draws on over 15 years of experience across policy, practice, and lived-experience leadership, alongside doctoral research focused on the financial needs, accommodation stability and wellbeing of care-experienced people transitioning to adulthood. Our work is grounded in trauma-informed, poverty-informed and capability-based approaches, with a strong emphasis on co-production and systems change.
Areas of work include:
• National and international policy development and insights on care systems
• Applied research, qualitative and quantitive analysis and mixed-methods evaluation
• Applied research, qualitative and quantitive analysis and mixed-methods evaluation
• Trauma-informed and poverty-aware training and learning pathways
• Co-production design, facilitation and participation frameworks
• Systems development and reflective practice in social care and education
• Policy-to-practice translation and evidence-informed programme design
Available for:
Keynote speaking, strategic consultancy, programme design, training delivery, facilitation, and independent evaluation across social care and adjacent sectors.
Key Areas of Work
Social Policy Development
Expertise in crafting policies that enhance social care services and support systems.
Community Engagement
Proven ability to engage with communities and stakeholders to identify needs and develop effective care strategies.
Training & Development
Designing and delivering training programs that build capacity in social care professionals.
Research & Analysis
Conducting research to inform social care practices and evaluate program effectiveness.
Advocacy
Advocating for policy changes and resource allocation to improve social care systems.
Strategic Leadership
Guiding initiatives with vision and purpose to drive systemic improvements in social care practice and delivery.
My Values
My values are embedded within integrity, collaboration and co-production. I highly value and encourage the use of high-quality and impactful trauma informed participatory methods. I believe creating meaningful change requires the social inclusion of those impacted through capability approach based collaboration and co-production.
My Mission
My mission is to challenge the status quo, embrace innovation, and create meaningful, lasting impact through everything I do. Driven by a passion and vision to inspire change, push boundaries, and embed trauma-informed practice and strategies, I deliver work that truly makes a difference.
Associate Roles
Training and Facilitation Associate Consultant
Conference Youth Engagement Facilitator
Family Cafe Annual Conference – Orlando, FL
Collaborating with global associates to facilitate the Club Cafe space at the Family Cafe Annual Conference, focusing on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. Leading the environmental health component and supported associates in creating a safe and enriching environment for attendees.
Developed and facilitated interactive activities to promote environmental wellbeing and provide actionable tools for participants to improve wellness post-event.
Created workshop descriptions, training guides, and evaluations, ensuring content was youth-friendly and engaging.
Coordinated and mentored youth volunteers, training them to lead their own wellness initiatives.
Research Assistant
Lacy Dicharry, LLC (LEX Workforce) – New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF)
Assisting with the evaluation of the NJ EnlightenMENT Peer Navigator workforce to assess current practices and provide recommendations for improvement. Applying evidence-based practices in organisational development, HR, and instructional design to evaluate the innovation and enhance workforce support.
Collaborating in a team to assess and innovate workforce practices using a five-phased, evidence-informed approach.
Young People and Research Consultant
In my role as Associate Consultant, I work alongside the Care Leavers Association to support the meaningful involvement of young people in shaping research, policy, and practice related to care-experienced individuals. I lead and contribute to projects that centre the voices and lived experiences of care leavers, ensuring their insights inform impactful outcomes.
My responsibilities include:
- Co-designing and facilitating participatory research with young people
- Supporting youth-led initiatives and ensuring inclusive engagement
- Conducting analysis and producing reports to influence practice and policy
- Providing training and consultation on youth engagement best practices
- Advocating for care leaver perspectives in research and service development
This role reflects my commitment to co-production, equity, and amplifying the expertise of those with lived experience.
TICS Colloboration and Innovation Lead and Young People Lead
Carrie Harrop is a dedicated social policy researcher with a specialist focus on supporting care leavers. As TICS’ Lead on Supporting Young People, she plays a central role in shaping trauma-informed interventions and advancing practice that truly reflects the needs of care-experienced individuals.
Currently undertaking a Doctorate at Loughborough University, Carrie’s research explores the financial challenges faced by care leavers as they transition to independence. Her work is rooted in co-production, ensuring young people’s voices shape both the research and the real-world solutions that follow.
Carrie has co-designed interventions that build confidence, skills, and mental wellbeing during this critical life stage. She leads innovative evaluation work, has published widely, and secured major funding to support her initiatives. A seasoned international presenter, she also brings leadership experience from organisations including the International Foster Care Organisation.
Carrie’s work is driven by a clear purpose: to foster systems that empower care-experienced youth and those who support them, ensuring brighter, more supported futures.
Testimonials
Lacy Dicharry ABD, MS, MS, MBA, SHRM-SCP : Director of the Lousiana State University Leadership Development Institute.
“Carrie’s facilitation skills brought a transformative experience to Club Café. Her gentle, engaging approach allowed youth to feel safe and curious as they explored self-awareness and emotional wellness. Her impact was undeniable – participants connected deeply with the material, empowered to use these insights and tools long after the workshop ended.”
Training Attendee
“Carrie created such a welcoming and reflective space. You communicated everything clearly and compassionately, and whenever I was unsure about anything, you was more than happy to revisit and explain it further. That level of patience and care made a real difference to my learning experience.
I feel honoured to have been part of this course and deeply appreciative of the learning environment that was created. Thank you for such a meaningful and impactful experience.”