What's it like being in care?

According to an article published by the NSPCC, there were 83,356 looked after children in the UK on 31 March 2009, and over the years we've had some fantastic people working with us on The Jitty who have been in care themselves. One of our editors took a bit of time out to find out a little bit more about what it's like being in care by speaking to another young person currently in that situation. Both the editor and young person have asked to remain anonymous.

Thanks for taking time out to do this

No problem

How long have you been in care for?

8 and a half years

Do you think it has changed you?

Yes, I've learnt from right and wrong, what to do and what not to do, I never learnt that from my own family.

Have you ever had any problems with being in care?

Nope, except from social workers which I've always hated. I once ended up locking myself in a room because of frustration because I was being told what to do.

How much have you been moved around?

I've been moved around to two other carers, where one was only a week and the other was 4 years which was supposed to only be a short term placement.

What sort of feelings have you felt from being in care?

It doesn't really bother me as I feel like I'm better off in care away from my family.

Have you ever got anxious or frustrated by not knowing things?

Not at all.

Do you still keep in touch with your family?

Yeah, I call them whenever I want to and have a pretty close relationship with them and I see them every three months.

Why did you end up in care?

My mum used to abuse me when I was 8 and I always ended up running away and stealing, getting up to no good because of it, then she decided it was better to put me into care because she couldn't handle me anymore. In a way the experience changed me but I've forgiven her and have tried to overcome it.

What's foster care like?

It's just like being in a normal home except that it's not your own parents, it's a little awkward at first but then you eventually just become a part of the family. When I first came to my current foster carer I ended up causing a lot of trouble such as stealing and ended up doing all things that ended up getting me and my friends into trouble.

Have you ever been judged because you've been in care? Like assumptions and prejudice?

Yes, people thought that I was a thief and a troublemaker and not very sociable, I was just being labelled really. I ended up in a few fights which got me into trouble with the police. The police judged me instantly as they seemed to expect it just because I was in care, because they assumed that I'd had a poor upbringing, which in some cases were true, but most others not.

Have you gotten into major trouble?

Yeah, I've committed some awful crimes, things like GBH, stealing, breaking and entering, running away from the police and vandalism; I got caught for all of them and got into a lot of trouble for the GBH. I feel like I've learnt from it though, have the occasional fight which some can be for reasons or just pointless, never proud of anything I've done, I've always had support from my current foster carer though which has helped me through rough times and gave me a good upbringing, to her I'm really thankful as it's made me into the person I am today.

Do you worry about the future?

Not at all, I have a set career path which I'm pretty confident about.

On a personal note I know this young person, and they are great fun to spend time with, very charismatic, always smiling, and I am very happy to learn that they have a career path that they are looking to follow and certainly wish them all the best!