I’ve long thought the experiences of young people leaving care would be a fascinating, if sobering, subject for an observational documentary.
The variation in financial and emotional support for such a vulnerable group is nothing short of scandalous, particularly when so many of their peers now live at home well into their 20s.
Well, Channel 4 has now obliged, offering up Kicked Out Kids, which – despite the typically tabloidy title – will take a serious look at the journeys of three “brave, feisty and opinionated” teenagers as they venture into the unknown in Norfolk, Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Filmed over six months, the documentary promises to be candid and moving, providing an “unprecedented look at a growing, but often overlooked group of courageous young people as they try living independently for the first time”.
Three teenager’s stories
We will follow the different experiences of 18-year-old Jemma (pictured) who has been in and out of care since the age of two, 17-year-old Connor, who is reluctantly preparing to leave the children’s home he has lived in for six years and 17-year-old mixed martial arts fighter Demornia who is keen to show the world that people with a care background can go on to lead successful lives.
It’s a first cut (C4’s strand for first time directors) by Minnow Films, who have a reputation for making sensitive and nuanced programmes.
Because it’s a first cut, it’s in the slightly antisocial 11pm slot, but will be available on 4oD. We’ll bring you a review next week and, of course, if you watch the programme, do let us know what you think.
Kicked Out Kids will be shown on Tuesday 17 February at 11pm, Channel 4.
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Brilliant documentary , can’t believe this still happens …thirty years after it happened to me !
Just watched this brilliant documentary and as a social worker working for a local authority with children & young people have never understood why as their corporate parent expect them to move out of what may be their safe and secure home to live on their own to save money when the same people would never dream of doing that to their own child.
It gives a true account, and shows how unfair the system is for this particular group of very vulnerable young people. Just wish this government would listen and stop cutting services aimed purposely at helping and supporting these young people