Thank you to Ashley John-Baptiste for his account of growing up as a looked-after child, and his vivid and moving description of how he only discovered in his mid-20s that he had a brother (A moment that changed me, 26 January).
He says: “Do children’s services even care about, or prioritise learning about, the family histories of looked-after children?” At least in my experience, I can answer “yes”. Life story workers engage with children to help them make sense of their family history and prepare a life story book that stays with them. For looked-after children with siblings, keeping in regular contact is key, and is encouraged whenever possible.
This aspect of social work practice has come a long way since Ashley was a child. But, as he rightly points out, there still aren’t enough foster carers able to take sibling groups and more carers are urgently needed.
Cllr James Valentine
Lead member for children’s services and education, Bedford borough council