It wasn’t until Ellen* was placed with her carers at Clifford House that she was finally faced with the prospects of a positive and bright future. From a young age, Ellen had more to face in her life than the average young girl. She was neglected and her parents were often physical with her. At the age of 12, the decision was finally made to take her and her siblings into foster care.
Ellen moved through several placements, as she found it difficult to interact with people. She shop lifted, misused drugs and alcohol, and the carers felt particularly concerned with her vulnerability around older men. It was after her 3rd foster home that she was placed with her current carers at Clifford House Fostering. Initially, it was clear that she was troubled as she refused to take care of herself or go to school and when she did go, she was often suspended. It took time and patience, but eventually her carers at Clifford House helped her to turn her life around.
18 months later, Ellen is now 16. She has completed her GCSEs and has started a course at college. Her carers are teaching her how to be independent, and how to finally face the problems of an average young person, like ironing or cooking her own dinner. Ellen feels like she has finally found her family, and is thriving in the safe place she has found with them. Something as simple as sitting at the dinner table with people she trusts and talking to them has allowed her to open up about her difficult past and find her true identity, leaving much of her aggression and frustration behind. Ellen now has friends and is even thinking about a part time job. She may have a long way to go before she can leave home, but thanks to the dedication of her carers she now has one to come back to and is finally on the right path for a bright future.
*The names in this article have been changed to a pseudonym to ensure the protection of the child involved.