This is a fictional story but it does have elements that have happened in real cases. We've put this story together to give you a better idea of the journey a child in foster care might have to navigate.
Billy was 10 when he came into care and his younger sister Rosie was 6.
Billy usually enjoyed PE at school but on that day, it was noted that Billy was not really focused on the cricket game. When changing clothes, the PE teacher noticed several large bruises on Billy’s back. The PE teacher wasn’t sure that Billy was being truthful when he said he’d fallen down the stairs so decided to inform their safeguarding lead. Billy eventually disclosed that his step-dad had beaten him and it wasn’t the first time.
Billy and Rosie were placed in emergency care that night with foster carers Lynda and Dave while the disclosure was investigated. Dave worked as a Facilities Manager locally and Lynda worked part-time in a school as a Catering Assistant. They had decided to become foster carers 3 years before after their youngest daughter had left home.
That first night, the children arrived anxious and withdrawn. Lynda asked them what they like to eat and they got pizza which was Rosie’s favourite. Before bed, Rosie disclosed that her mum and step-dad often drank a lot and there was sometimes not any food in the house. If her or Billy made a fuss, their step-dad would get angry and beat them and they had not seen their real dad in years.
Billy found it very difficult to accept leaving his mother and initially tried to do everything for his younger sister. He struggled to trust his new foster family and even stole some money from Lynda. He later apologised and explained he felt he needed to give something to his mother who looked so sad when he saw her for family time. Lynda talked it through with her Supervising Social Worker. She also spoke with other Bracknell Forest carers in a regular support group that offers peer-to-peer support and a chance for carers to share experiences. She said to Billy that he would get pocket money every week when he lived with them and this helped.
Rosie settled quicker but was confused for the first few days about why she couldn’t go home. She came to Lynda and Dave with just a handful of toys and one pair of shoes. At first, she struggled to eat some of the food her carers prepared and couldn’t use her knife and fork, preferring to eat with her hands. She also wet the bed most nights and hoarded snacks until Dave explained there would always be food available.
After a few weeks, both children had started to settle. Rosie had started to try new foods and Lynda and Dave got Billy into mountain biking. A few months later, the siblings had a wonderful first Christmas together with their carers. Rosie cried with happiness when she opened her presents.
Care proceedings happened about 26 weeks from when Billy and Rosie first came to Lynda and Dave. Here it was decided that for the children’s own safety they should remain in long-term foster care. Lynda and Dave put themselves forward to care for the siblings and it was unanimously agreed at panel. Billy and Rosie have been with Lynda and Dave for 2 years now. They still have some sadness around not being with their mother who is still getting help for her alcohol use, but are otherwise thriving.
Billy is still mountain biking and came third in a regional competition. Lynda and Dave are also supporting him to attend our Children in Care Council (SilSip) meetings. With SilSip he has got involved in fun activities such as kayaking in the holidays with other children who have been on similar journeys. This has helped him explore his feelings and feel less alone. Rosie has started gymnastics and is a bubbly little girl. She is full of life and doing really well at school. The children are looking forward to a bright future ahead of them.