Back Page: Social Claire - Listening really costs nothing

Annie's carer rang me recently. Our girl has been getting herself into abit of bother. She's been coming home late, hanging around olderchildren and being mouthy. Her carer was at her wits' end and asked ifwe could talk to her.

Annie's just hitting puberty and her mood often swings between stroppyteenager and frightened five-year-old. Outspoken and articulate, she canargue her corner, then someone says the wrong thing and she bursts intotears.

I decided to offer some one-to-one time, to try and find out what wasbothering her. We went into a cafe and, over hot chocolate, Annie begantalking about being in care.

"It's hard sometimes 'cos I feel that my carer's family is moreimportant to her than me," she began. "When I was younger it didn'tmatter, but now that I'm growing up I feel different. It's not the sameas being in your own family. Sometimes, I feel the only way I can getattention is if I kick off. I haven't got my mum to listen to how I'mfeeling."