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1/8 This morning, we were on @BBCr4today with a young person called Louisa talking to @MarthaKearney.
Here are the experiences she shared about her time in care and #UnregulatedAccommodation
Listen back to Louisa’s interview at 1:35: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000q3gj
Here are the experiences she shared about her time in care and #UnregulatedAccommodation
Listen back to Louisa’s interview at 1:35: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000q3gj
2/8 “I was 15 when I became a child in need and when I also became a looked after child. It was stressful, uncertain and unpredictable as well.”
Louisa’s first experience of care was being placed in a hotel with staff members she didn’t know in the room while she slept.
Louisa’s first experience of care was being placed in a hotel with staff members she didn’t know in the room while she slept.
3/8 The staff that were with her 24 hours a day would constantly change, meaning she found it difficult to build good relationships with her carers.
In one placement she met "150 different people" in one month.
In another, Louisa was placed in a run-down caravan for four weeks.
In one placement she met "150 different people" in one month.
In another, Louisa was placed in a run-down caravan for four weeks.
4/8 Louisa felt completely alone at 15 years old. Her GCSEs were put on hold as she was struggling to focus in school.
“I was left to budget money, clean, cook and I had to learn all these skills overnight.”
“My whole life just changed.”
“I was left to budget money, clean, cook and I had to learn all these skills overnight.”
“My whole life just changed.”
5/8 “I was getting moved around every few weeks. It was a lot of uncertainty about what was happening around me and I had no control over it.”
The lack of purpose and stability meant Louisa’s mental health suffered, and she began putting herself at risk.
The lack of purpose and stability meant Louisa’s mental health suffered, and she began putting herself at risk.
6/8 Louisa is now in a long-term placement with a smaller, consistent staff team where she is happy.
“I have a lot more say now.”
She wants to study health and social care so that she can help other people that may go through something similar to her in future.
“I have a lot more say now.”
She wants to study health and social care so that she can help other people that may go through something similar to her in future.
7/8 Today’s coverage demonstrates the power of putting care-experienced voices at the centre of discussions about care.
For many @BBCr4today listeners, unregulated accommodation will be new to them – but it’s an issue for many vulnerable children in care across the country.
For many @BBCr4today listeners, unregulated accommodation will be new to them – but it’s an issue for many vulnerable children in care across the country.
8/8 Unregulated accommodation and inconsistency in her care meant that Louisa suffered a lack of stability, mental health issues and felt a lack of purpose.
Too many young people face these challenges as a result of the current system.
Thank you to Louisa for sharing her story.
Too many young people face these challenges as a result of the current system.
Thank you to Louisa for sharing her story.
