Children in care are “Still” children

CHILDREN IN CARE

I am planning on writing a much more in depth blog about the above topic soon. So let’s get straight to it.

Illustration copyright owned by Chris wild

Children in care is something that will always be close to my ❤️

I lost my only two nieces at the time to the care system due to my sister struggling as a single parent and a multitude of different things.

She self medicated with alcohol to take away the stress which in turn had a detrimental effect on her mental health.

Ultimately this led to her death in 2019 💔 I gave a mandate to access my medical records as well as fighting to get a kinship.

Unfortunately this was unsuccessful largely due to social services not returning my phone calls.

I would call non stop , with false promises that they would get back to me “ they never did” not once.

My nieces were taken into care and split up for adoption despite having myself and 4 other loving aunties and uncles. I am the oldest of 5 brothers.

It was 6 brothers but my second youngest brother died of hypo-plastic left heart syndrome . “ born with half a heart”

Imagine arriving home from school aged 6 and 4 to find all your stuff was being packed into plastic bin bags.

Then being whipped off to live with some random family.

Just think of the heartbreak 💔 and confusion. This was the catalyst for me to spiral into an alcoholic meltdown of nuclear proportions.

My friend chris wild @ccwild79 and i really am proud to call him a friend has written extensively on the subject. His two books damaged & the state of it are must reads.

I must say chris’s latest book “the state of it “couldn’t be more appropriately named.

Children in care are some of the most vulnerable, hurt, traumatised members of our society.

There are a lot of stories out there of people who have had good experiences, in care.

However there are equally as many who haven't. Some are absolute horror stories.

Without a proper structure & support, these children are likely to grow up with complicated mental and physical health problems, drug problems and criminal problems.

Many of these poor souls have been let down by every adult they have ever met. No wonder they struggle with trust issues.

There are so many layers of abuse and abandonment to so many children in care, that the child may be dealing with things even the child doesn't know is affecting their behaviour.

Every year i send stuff down to London from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 for “ The care Leavers Project in which i take great pride in collaborating with @ccwild79.

The current care system needs a better structure and strategy to help care leavers transition into

Care leavers should be taught all the basics of living to prepare them for the future and what can seem a daunting outside world.

Things like paying rent, shopping for food, cleaning up, knowing about banks etc, which helps develop their own independence.

It is a true saying , WE DO NOT NEED TO KNOW THE BEGINNING OF A CHILD'S STORY TO CHANGE THE ENDING.

As chris always says ?

Children in care are still children.