Book review: ‘Looked After: A Childhood in Care’

What is the book about?

This book is a memoir based on author Ashley John-Baptiste’s childhood experiences growing up in care. Throughout the book, Ashley, who is now a BBC journalist, reflects on his childhood and adolescence as a looked-after child, recounting times of hardship, trauma and confusion with such detail and introspection that you can’t help but be tremendously moved.

The take-home messages

Ashley describes specific encounters with social care professionals, teachers, foster carers and friends, reflecting on how specific words and moments in interactions have forever imprinted in his memory. He demonstrates the power that words – what is said and what is left unsaid – can have on someone throughout life.

He covers complicated topics such as identity, relationships and intergenerational care and the impact that foster care, and recurring placement moves, have on a child. Despite the harshness of his experience in the UK foster care system, the extraordinary resilience he has showcased is inspiring.

A must-read for social care practitioners

Having worked as a social worker, I believe this book will be tremendously helpful for other social care professionals, as it provides insight into the impact our role can have on a child’s life. Ashley’s reflections on past social work interactions demonstrate the need to have hope and motivation for any child in care and to look beyond the ‘professional role’ as one with authority to simply make big decisions.

Rather, he shows us the importance of helping a child find their voice and identity by listening to what they need, and of continuously checking in, as what may appear to be a ‘positive placement’ to professionals may not be reflective of the child’s experiences day-to-day. As social workers, we must try our best to provide opportunities and encouragement for a child in care to find success.

What else should I know?

The book challenges us to reflect on our own childhoods and relationships, and how we have come to relate to others and build trusting, reciprocal relationships. At times the book is quite sad, given the visceral, honest accounts of life in care. However, it is important to understand this side of care, which most of us will never experience, and the importance and impact of key individuals in providing light during periods of darkness.

• Looked After: A Childhood in Care – A memoir by Ashley John-Baptiste ★★★★
• Hodder & Stoughton
• ISBN: 9781399711920
• £14.99