Keeping families connected is a central part of our children and young people’s lives when they cannot live together and is an important part of my role as a Residential Child Care Supervisor.  

We welcomed a little 5-year old into our House two years ago and what an incredible little boy he was, he made an impact on everyone and his mum was super important to him and his sense of identity. 

Mum was encouraged to visit and spend time with him here, so she would feel comfortable knowing he was in a safe and loving environment, getting to know the care team, and meeting other young people. She was often found pottering around the kitchen making lunch for herself and her son. She would spend time tidying his room, organising clothes, toys (she always said the hardest part was this, the bits she missed out on). 

Mum would call him in the evenings he was not at her house to read him his bedtime stories and took ownership of shopping for his clothes and school uniforms. Memory making experiences like a Mother’s Day meal out and Santa’s Grottos were prioritised and supported by us. For special occasions like Christmas and Birthdays, Mum was included in gift ideas to ensure that he received gifts his mum was supportive of. 

We were sad to see such a little ray of sunshine leave us last month to return home to live with his family but delighted with the progress this loving family have made.  We are even more delighted that Mum still calls us every week and actively encourages us to remain a part of both her and her son’s life.