BBC screens series on care home life

A26-part television series that depicts the
rollercoaster life of a 10-year-old girl in care began on
children’s BBC this week.

The Story of Tracy Beaker, which is
based on a book by award-winning author Jacqueline Wilson, is set
in a children’s home. When life gets too much for Tracy, she
escapes into the wild fantasies in her head.

Assistant director of Hammersmith & Fulham
social services Andrew Christie said he was initially wary when the
BBC contacted him for help. He was concerned that the programme
would be another “social worker trap” in which the profession would
be demonised.

But he was also “excited by the opportunity.”
He said: “The fundamental issues are tackled well. My hope is that
when children in care watch the programme they will feel that
something of their experience has been dealt with sensitively; and
will feel good that other children will understand more about
it.”