It’s not easy...

I've watched a lot of TV programmes about fostering and the care system over the past few months, but it's the Panorama special Kids in Care that's left a lasting impression. It wasn't just that it was what I'd call a real documentary - and you rarely see those anymore. In other words, it didn't try to take a fashionable political position or suggest there are any simple solutions or even try to apportion blame. No. Instead it focused on the people. The children and the teenagers, their families, their foster carers - and the social workers who were trying to make sense of it all. But what really struck me - as someone who has not worked as a social worker for nearly 20 years - is that there may have been many changes to the system during that time, yet some things never change. The really human dilemmas, the difficult choices, the lack of quick solutions are still there. And so are the feelings that all of these things evoke.

Who wouldn't be moved by watching 14-year-old Conner who loved his mother and will never really be able to accept that he couldn't grow up with her? And, I'm not ashamed to admit shedding tears for Chris, his young social worker who had the responsibility for keeping Conner safe, yet could understand how he felt and be the focus for all of the anger Conner carries around with him.  And still be able to say from the heart, ‘I'm not going to give up on you'.  It's still not easy.

As with all stories I was left hoping for some happy endings. Hoping that Conner will get the help he needs to make sense of all of his complex feelings and emotions. Hoping Chris gets the support he requires to deal with all of his - so that he can keep on caring so deeply about what he does.  And - hoping that any politicians or policy-makers who were also watching will take some time to reflect on what they saw before suggesting any quick fixes.