“Like many other children and young people, I entered care with a range of difficulties and felt very confused about some of the things I had experienced during my childhood. I was offered support and had a great social worker; she was consistent and knew ‘my story’.
When I was 17 years old I was placed in a supported lodgings placement. At this time I was veering towards a ‘rocky path’. I had very little motivation and the college I was attending were considering my exclusion.
I unexpectedly fell pregnant with my first child, I was adamant that my daughter would not have the childhood I did. I wanted to change my life and I used all of the support available to me. My supported lodging providers went above and beyond. They never gave up on me (despite the really challenging times) and to this day, I class them as my parents and grandparents to my children.
At 18 years old, I left care and started living independently and I was fully supported with this transition and felt prepared when I left. I had developed a very close bond with my carers and had a meaningful and positive rapport with my Personal Advisor who was fantastic! She spent lots of time, showing me all of the opportunities available to me and supporting me to apply for university etc. I was fortunate enough to have her until I was 25 years old meaning that she supported me throughout my social work degree and the start of my career as a social worker.
I started studying to be a social work in 2012 and qualified in 2017. It has always been a subject close to my heart. I valued my first social worker and recall some of the meaningful visits she made to me. She really made a difference to my life and inspired me to work with other children and improve their outcomes despite my own adverse childhood experiences.
Having had first-hand experience of being in care, I can empathise and look at issues from a professional perspective as well as a child’s point of view. I also believe that it is crucial for children and young people to be included in decision making (where possible). When I was in care, I sometimes felt as though decisions were made for me and remember how difficult or frustrating this was. My experiences have also guided me to be open and honest when working with children and young people, remembering that it is their life, and to empower them as much as possible.
I feel that many people deem being in care as negative and something to be ashamed of. I am incredibly grateful for my care experience; the opportunities, the amazing people who I have met along the way and the woman, and professional, it has made me today.
There is heaps of support, advice and guidance available to children in care and care leavers and with the right attitude, you can achieve your aspirations and defeat the statistics of being a ‘Looked After Child’. Your history is not your destiny.”
To find out more about fostering or providing supported lodgings for young people in Dorset, please contact the Fostering team on 01305 225568 or email: fosteringenquiries@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Further information can also be found at: www.fosterindorset.com
