Launch of the Children and Families Truth Commission first report.

Launch of the Children and Families Truth Commission first report.

On Friday 15th of November, both Mandy Aulak and I were invited to the launch hosted by Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson for the Children and Families Truth Commission’s first report, which looks at the state of child protection in the UK. 

We were not surprised to hear that children most affected include those with SEND, those living in poverty and those with disabilities.

Mandy Aulak shared some feedback :

“The report launch by The Children and Families Truth Commission and the discussion that ensued at the launch in The House of Lords was sobering. It was, at times, difficult to hear the traumatic stories that were shared. Disability was a prominent theme and it is clear that training at all levels is essential for those working in the child protection sector, particularly at the early stages and before situations have escalated. The report sets out ways in which the challenges identified could be met, there was an interesting discussion about some of the learnings and practises in the USA. I very much hope that this report will now be carried forward and the concerns it raises will be addressed from the measures identified both in the report and from the discussions followed.”

I promised a mother whom I have known since 2011 that I would highlight her story at the launch if I could and I was kindly given the opportunity. 

These are Steph’s words :

‘In 2011 I asked Doctors for help with my youngest son Ryan who I thought was displaying signs of autism. Head banging, temper tantrums, not sleeping, constipation problems, speech delay. But on this day I was accused of abuse and my 2 boys then almost 6yrs and 2yrs were removed instantly. After a long 4yrs of fighting in court arguing that my youngest was autistic and that I was innocent (I have no criminal record), regardless of the fact that he continued to self-harm in foster care he was forcibly adopted. 

My eldest son continued to have epileptic fits in care and be hospitalised, (I was accused of fabricating this even though he was diagnosed by the hospital and on medication). 

My eldest son Lewis was moved from foster home to foster home for the rest of his childhood and the court ordered that I was not allowed any contact.

I recently finally found my long-lost son after 12 long years who is now 20 years old, he is still in contact with his brother Ryan and he told me that Ryan IS autistic!

So, my children were taken away by this draconian system because my son is autistic.

I now have 2 younger children at home, agreed by the same local authority who deemed me abusive and unfit to parent my boys. I have no social services involvement whatsoever. 

How does that work?’

Steph

I personally found this meeting mind-blowing when parents, and affected adults spoke of their experiences as a child sharing their trauma and stories about where they should have been safe in foster or children’s homes.

After coming away from this event asking myself ‘Is our current system fit for purpose ?’ 

Please see Natasha Phillips’s Blog giving more information about the report and commission.

We are going to be kept updated with any follow-up information and action.

https://researchingreform.net/2024/11/04/preview-of-the-children-and-families-truth-commissions-first-report-endorsed-by-the-university-of-birmingham/

I will keep you updated with any further information as and when received.

Anna Kennedy OBE