What's it like growing up in care? Alex's* story
Alex*, a care-experienced young person, told us about his experience in care and why the government needs to take action to ensure all children in care have a place they can truly call home.
There are 105,000 children currently in care in the UK. Too often, they’re let down by systems which are meant to help them. This means they’re less likely to do well at school, affecting their training and employment opportunities later in life.
We campaign for lasting change in the children’s social care system to help children in care and give them what every child needs.
We're campaigning for lasting change in the children’s social care system
In Alex's words:
"When you’re taken into care, the authorities say it’s because you need a better home. They say: 'You couldn’t be taken care of where you were, come with us and we’ll look after you.'"
"You get let down, or moved around, or split up from brothers and sisters. You end up with carers you don’t get on with. You don’t get a chance to say how you feel – or if you do, you feel like no one’s listening."
"I had lots of different homes in care: with foster carers, in children’s homes, on my own, and in big group homes. There were always problems in the end, and I was moved again and again."
"I missed out on growing up with my sisters. I missed chances to get support for my additional needs."
You don’t really get a choice. You have to accept what they’re promising. But too often, you don’t get what’s promised. You never get a home you truly love, or feel at home in.
"Bad things happened in my life before I went into care. I’m still recovering from them. But I’m also still recovering from my time in care. Does that seem right?"
"There are lots of good homes out there – but not for every child. Even a good home can be a bad experience if you’re suddenly dropped into it, or if you’re left out of decisions about your life there."
"Now I’m an adult and I have a home for myself. It’s been hard, but I’m living a life I’ve chosen – with a partner, a job and pets I love. I see my sisters all the time."
"I’ve spent lots of my energy campaigning for a better care system. I don’t always feel like I’ve chosen that. I feel responsible – I have to use my bad experiences to make things better for other children. Sometimes it feels like a weight I’m carrying."
"UK governments need to listen to care-experienced children and young people, and act quickly to improve each country’s care systems."
They need to invest in a good home for every child in care. A great home, where we’re loved for who we are, with adults who don’t give up on us. A home where we get the right support for our needs.
Making this happen will be hard work, but children in care deserve it.
At Action for Children, we’re the constant for children who might never have felt stability. And time and again, we’re the difference for children throughout their care experience.
We're calling on UK governments to help more children in care have what every child needs
*Name has been changed to protect young people's identities.
