If you look strictly at my output for 2025, you might say I failed. I published only one blog post. I attended zero events. My referral traffic—usually a sign of active networking—dropped by 98%.
But failures are rarely just “failures.” Often, they are just trade-offs.
I want to share my 2025 statistics not to complain, but to show what happens when you step back to build something else. The silence on the blog wasn’t emptiness; it was focus.
The 2025 Scorecard: Growth in the Gridlock
Despite the radio silence, the site didn’t just survive; it adapted.
- Organic Search grew by 32%: Even without new content, the existing Knowledge Base kept working.
- Direct Visits jumped by nearly 48%: You kept coming back.
The dip in “Referral Visits” and “New Posts” is the price I paid for three massive life changes:
- The Grand Move: Relocating and renovating a home (completed Jan 13, 2025).
- The Career Pivot: Moving from Semi-Independent care to Residential Childcare.
- The Fostering Journey: Starting the rigorous application process to become a foster carer.
Sometimes you have to let one garden grow wild so you can plant another one.
2026 Roadmap: Speed, Service, and… S
With the foundation set, 2026 is about execution. Here is exactly what is coming next for Looked After Child.
1. Faster Access (UK Hosting) We have already completed a migration to a new host located physically in the UK. This might sound technical, but for you, it means the site will load faster. Since the vast majority of you are accessing this from within the UK, this ensures the resources you need are there instantly.
2. A Shift in Content: KBs over Chronology This year, I am changing how I write. You will see fewer personal “Chronology” updates and fewer opinion pieces. Instead, I am doubling down on Knowledge Base (KB) Questions. My goal is to answer the specific, technical, and practical questions you have about the care sector.
- Note: Once my fostering application is approved and active, the content will naturally pivot to include insights from that journey.
3. Refreshing the Archives Because the data shows you are still reading the older posts, I want to honor that by keeping them current. I will be revisiting, updating, and reposting key articles from the last few years to ensure they reflect the current regulations and reality of 2026.
4. A Creative Experiment: “The House That Trauma Built” This is something different. For the last two years, I have been quietly writing lyrics—processing the experiences, stories, and emotions of this sector in a different way. I am not a singer, but I wanted these words to be heard. Using AI, I have created a musical rendition of these lyrics for an album concept titled “The House That Trauma Built.” It’s a departure from my usual technical writing, but it captures the emotional reality of care in a way a blog post sometimes can’t. I may publish tracks from this project later in the year.
Summary 2025 was the year of “The Grand Move” and the silent grind. 2026 is the year we turn the lights back on.
Thank you for sticking around.
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