They Took my Child
How Forum Theatre is Sparking Change in Social Services and Migrant Communities
By Khaleda Noon
A packed room at The Nucleus, Edinburgh University.. A stage alive with raw emotion. And an audience of social workers, community members, and leaders leaning in, captivated. This was the scene at our recent forum theatre performance, where the barriers faced by migrant families and social workers were brought to life.
The performance wasn’t just theatre—it was a call to action. And the responses from the audience made one thing clear: this conversation needs to go beyond the room.
What We Learned
The event was more than just an opportunity to reflect—it sparked discussions about cultural competency, systemic racism, and the gaps in support that often widen rather than bridge divides. As part of the post-performance evaluations, we asked the audience a big question:
What actions need to happen next to address these issues?
Here’s what they said:
Bring this to decision-makers. Many emphasised that policymakers need to see the play firsthand to understand the real-life impact of their decisions. “Decision-makers need to be in the room,” one attendee wrote. “They need to reflect on their own biases.”
Mandatory cultural competency training. There was a clear call for better training across all sectors—social work, education, and healthcare. Participants highlighted how a deeper understanding of cultural differences can prevent misunderstandings and create meaningful support for families.
A new system altogether. Some suggested rethinking the entire approach to social work, with less emphasis on punitive measures and more focus on family support. “Stop taking children away from families,” one response read. “Support them instead.”
Amplify these stories. Several attendees felt that this play needs a wider audience, including targeted groups like educators and lawmakers. One suggestion even proposed tracking how responses vary between different groups, to explore new ways to foster change.
What Stood Out to the Audience
The play’s solutions resonated deeply. Many pointed to themes of empowerment, early intervention, and stronger communication. These solutions—rooted in humanity and cultural understanding—showed how small actions can spark big change.
One attendee summed it up beautifully: “This play was a great way of being able to put yourself in other people’s shoes.”
The Bigger Picture
When reflecting on social services, systemic racism, and cultural competency, the audience didn’t hold back. Responses ranged from frustration to hope:
The challenges: Words like “bias,” “underfunded,” “frustration,” and “power imbalance” appeared repeatedly, reflecting how broken many perceive the current system to be.
The opportunities: Attendees also spoke about “empowerment,” “relationships,” and “reflection.” There’s hope for change—but only if we continue to listen, learn, and act.
What’s Next?
This forum theatre performance was just the beginning. The conversations it sparked will fuel a detailed report, created in partnership with Passion4Fusion, which will be released soon. The report will dive deeper into the issues raised and outline actionable steps to create meaningful change.
In the meantime, we’re working to bring this performance to more audiences. We’re advocating for systemic change, developing training resources, and finding new ways to amplify the voices of the families and workers at the heart of these stories.
Final Thoughts
Change doesn’t happen overnight—but it starts somewhere. For us, it started with a stage, a story, and a room full of people willing to listen.
We hope to keep this momentum going—to create a future where social services are driven by empathy, equity, and understanding. Because when we step into each other’s shoes, we start to walk toward a better world.
Stay tuned for the full report—coming soon.