I was born to a mother who was living in a residential home just before I was born. Mum was 16 years old and not ready to be a mum but she wanted to love – and be loved – and went ahead with my birth. By the time I was 7 years old, mum […]
I spent all of my childhood in one institution or another. Children’s homes, boarding school for ‘maladjusted kids’ (whatever that meant) and, eventually, youth custody. I can still remember how hopeless I felt and frustrated at decisions made in my best interest. With only social workers on my side, I was a typical example of […]
I was just your average working class kid living in a small industrial town called Luton. My father had come from Pakistan on a working visa. After he had worked hard for six years, and saved his money, he sent for us. Me, my two brothers, sister and my mum. We were the first generation […]
Growing up my parents were very strict. I had a lot of personal issues at home which led me to grow up being aggressive and violent, but also alone. I was taken into care at the age of 13 years. At the age of 15, I committed a serious offence and I was sentenced to […]
Hi! I am a retired social worker who worked for over 40 years with young people in care. I did loads of things – social worker, managing children’s homes, inspecting children’s services including secure children’s homes and secure training centres, as well as acting as an advocate for children in care.
As a kid, I mostly felt pretty much on my own. My home life was chaotic, violent and insecure, with no relatives looking out for me; and at school I was bullied and treated harshly by the teachers so I was unhappy there too. I longed to be an adult and in charge of my […]
Many times throughout my childhood in care I felt despair. I tried to work out myself why it was me chosen for this trauma, what had I done to deserve it? Further, what could I do to change it and make a happy life for my brothers and Mum and dad. I hated myself but […]
