My Care Journeys
/My Care Journeys
My life has not always been amazing, but I make the best out of a bad situation. Some people think the care system is a scary thing, like something out of Tracy Beaker’s Dumping Ground, but it is not.
Some bits are true, some are not; I am here to tell you my story, so here it is:
It was the night of my dad’s funeral. My step mum told my aunt to take me, ‘cause she did not want me. So, I went home, packed a bag and went to my aunt’s.
At first everything was going well, but then she was starting arguments with me. We could not stand the sight of each other. So, I tried to stay out of her road but she still would find a way to pick fights. She was always saying it was my fault and I would believe it at times.
One day, out of nowhere, two social workers showed up at the school and told me that I was going into care. I was shocked; angry; upset. I thought it was all my fault. They said they would take my back to pack my stuff up.
When I got to my carer’s house I was scared. I did not trust where I was going and the unknown. So, I put a brave face on and went in, and they were so nice to me. They showed me that I could trust them. But we started having disagreements about things, then she emailed my social worker that she did not want me.
The next day she came out, told me I was moving and to pack my things. I went to another carer. They had this boy there; he and I did not get along so I stayed in my room. It did not last long until I was moved again. So, once again, I packed my stuff up and moved.
I got this temporary placement until they could find me somewhere permanent and they were so nice to me. They did lots of things with me. This actually felt like home, until my carer got a call saying that they have found me a placement.
My social worker came out in the morning and helped me put all my stuff into her car. When I saw this massive house I was going to, I was in shock; but I could see other kids outside playing and I knew it was a children’s house. I told my social worker I did not want to go in, but she said that everything was going to be okay and to face the situation head on. So, we went to the door and rang the buzzer. This staff member came to the door and was very nice and funny and made me laugh.
I was not all that scared anymore. I have been here now 2 years and my story is still not done.
One bit of advice I would give a kid in care: no matter what, do not give up. Just because you think it is bad, it will only be bad for a while, not forever, so turn a negative into a positive and keep on fighting.