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All About
Emma Gaskell

Director, Daisy Doodles NW

Emma Gaskell, director Daisy Doodles NW

Emma is the director of Daisy Doodles NW Therapeutic Life Story Service, and a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Care Wales and holds a current DBS. She has a Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Work with Looked After Children, an Advanced Certificate in Therapeutic Life Story Work along with additional qualifications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Practice, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

With over 25 years of experience working with vulnerable children and families, Emma has developed extensive knowledge of adverse childhood experiences, particularly those affecting looked-after and adopted children. Her passion lies in helping children and young people create a meaningful life narrative, acknowledging key memories, relationships, and experiences.

Emma’s career began as a Nursery Nurse in educational settings before transitioning to social work. She has worked across Local Authority Child and Family Services, Children's Voluntary Therapeutic Services, Independent Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Fostering, and, most recently, the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Her expertise in fostering and adoption includes roles as a Supervising Social Worker, Therapeutic Social Worker, Foster Care Assessor, Foster Carer Panel Member, and Manager of Therapeutic Services within Independent Trauma-Informed Fostering.

Emma has also worked in a busy NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, where she provided both routine and crisis-led assessments and delivered CBT-based therapeutic interventions. Through her wealth of experience, she remains committed to supporting children in understanding their past, making sense of their journey, and shaping a positive future.

 

Creating a Safe and Supportive Space:

Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSW) provides a safe, supportive space for children to explore their past. A clear contract with ground rules between the child and the Therapeutic Life Story Worker (TLSW) is essential, ensuring child protection and safeguarding. Given the sensitive nature of this work, transparency and appropriate information sharing are key.

TLSW techniques must be structured and inclusive, helping all involved understand their role in supporting the child’s journey.

TLSW must take place in a secure, nurturing environment, fostering trust - especially crucial for children in foster care or the care system, where stability is key to emotional well-being.

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A child playing with colorful conversation cubes, each with a different question such as "Do you have a pet?" and "What makes you unique?", while seated at a table with an adult.
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“More needs to be done to ensure that all children in care are healthy and safe, have the same opportunities as their peers and can move successfully into adulthood”

-NSPCC