Looked-after children and young people use the term to describe moving placements or leaving care with their possessions stuffed in black bin bags, an all too common source of offence and complaint.
A National Voice, a charity run by and for "care experienced" young people, launched the This is Not a Suitcase campaign a year ago to tackle the problem. Last week the Independent Fostering Providers Forum responded by announcing a policy stating the use of bin bags is unacceptable. And the Association of Directors of Social Services says it will follow suit (Children Now, 16-22 February 2005).
Mack, who as a volunteer with A National Voice has been involved with the campaign from the start, says she is "proud" and "chuffed" to be associated with any success but adds: "They should have recognised it a long time ago. It shouldn't be down to us lot to change things, it's common sense really. I'm pretty horrified it's taken so long to change."
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