Inside Britain’s unregulated children’s homes - BBC Newsnight

[@Sameoldfitup]

When i was 5 years old my father took me from my mother with her conscent, to live with him and his new wife. It quickly bacame apparent to me that she took an instant dislike to me, more like hatered. She had four children of her own. Anyway the abuse started off almost immediately making me stand in the corner of the room facing the wall for absolutely no reason that a five year old child would understand anyway. The days went on with low level mental abuse, well to a five year old boy it was devastating. My father was a long distant driver so all this abuse took place when he was out, but he could see that I was unhappy there. So her four children started to bully me and attacked me in the house. They had a dog that use to nip me, and they would all just laugh. I started to hear her mother say to her, "Why don't you just dump him somewhere." So after a year of mental tourment at the hands of everyone in that house, she finally decided to take her mothers advice and dump me on the street I was only 6 years. So Social services placed me with a foster family but after a year the moved me to a children's home. That was a blow to me because I became part of a loving family. When I was 8 years old they moved me to another children's gome where I stayed for 8 years. I left the children's home when I was 16, then they moved me to another children's home for a year, then when I was 17 they moved me to an half way house to get me use to an independant life. I left the care system as I went in feeling alone, worried, & affraid. Of course i have not put every awful experience in this post. Thank You.

[@detectivethinker3637]

Such a sad story! Hope you can reunite with your mother as you are nearly a grown adult.

[@Sameoldfitup]

@@detectivethinker3637 she is dead love

[@sarina5352]

Bless you 😢🙏🏼

[@Sameoldfitup]

@@sarina5352 Thank you 🙏

[@alexbutler341]

Just seen this now, hope you're doing well!

[@Lumibear.]

Well done everyone involved in highlighting and pursuing this, I hope things change.

[@suzimonkey345]

Politicians & activists demand that we take more “unaccompanied immigrant minors” but never consider that most go missing within months of being put into these homes! They feel good about Britain being “welcoming” but couldn’t care less about them once they are here! The government throws money at the private industry to absolve themselves of responsibility when things go horribly wrong. Children’s homes should provide mental health care, education & life planning skills. £20,000 a month for a scummy room & no professional care!! 🤯

[@demi-louiseknott18]

@@suzimonkey345 that’s not even the half of it, I lived in this home when this was being recorded, I was not one of the children who would be described the way they was all gangs and druggies, I was a hard working 17 year old with ambitions. This house changed that for me. I wish I could explain the stuff that happened to me while living there like she did, and let me tell you for someone who charged 20,000 they sure n all did not have that to show. We had a broken washing line in the kitchen that we had to lean against the wall for it to some what stand up. I complained for months about it but nothing ever got done. I wouldn’t wish anyone to live their not even my worst enemy. The stuff that happened with that manager and all the staff was disgusting

[@KingsKid1959]

They need to start showing pictures and coming out with the sick things that these children go through. It may be harsh but its the truth. We the People need to stand up and put these predators away for good and make them work and give their earnings to the children they have hurt.

[@Omarian1]

only 310 views, it seems people care about love Island then the fate of the most vulnerable children. Alas, the human condition!

[@jimsy5530]

Where do you think they get the cast for Love Island from? No one who has opportunities goes on that kind of shite.

[@rebeccaf6637]

Wish they did I was in care when I was younger and it was the worst thing ever

[@aeydra]

13,107 views - there's hope if the algorithm agrees LOL

[@demi-louiseknott18]

I lived in this home when this was being recorded, a lot happened to me compared to what this women went through. Wish I could share awareness like this

[@righttoexplain]

Please do share it!

[@demi-louiseknott18]

@@righttoexplain I wouldn’t know how to go about it or where to start, I’ve had so much happen to me being in care and then having to move to this place I Deffinately would love to rase awareness

[@dorapalma767]

Start by writing to BBC 👍

[@julesniles4478]

I worked at this home for a short period of time whilst you were there Demi and I am in the process of taking this care practice to court because of the neglect and unsafe practices of their care which led me to whistle blow and have Luton Council investigate the care. If you need help in making a complaint in your time spent at Harvest Care then you can message me back for information.

[@quavantezingleton3694]

​@@demi-louiseknott18what should i expect?

[@jamiengo2343]

Great job all involved in highlighting this issue

[@julesniles4478]

More needs to be done, this one documentary is not enough

[@GreenOrchid9]

Omg I've known this town!⏰ it's about the money for the owners. The children are not being guided only warehoused! Not prepared for adult life!⏰🤔 they're on the fringes of these towns and low pay unregulated. Where's the social workers??

[@krisdiamond4045]

totally agree with you

[@MsIrishprincess1]

How about people ask why so many children need foster homes? Why are social services taking children from good homes? If you believe that social services only take children from abusive dangerous homes, you would be wrong. Money and power rule the system, so until Social services are looked into, things will not change!

[@ladylee1979]

try £25000 per month for a childrens home why not give the children back to birth families and pay for support within the home within the family

[@krisdiamond4045]

not always a good idea , depending on the circumstances around the removal of the child/young person. family dynamic.

[@judis6224]

Human rights say kids have rights to live with parents shouldn't be abused have a voice.should have a phone to ring parents say what they like same with parents.

[@jadehay7467]

Because 62% of children are in care for abuse. They can’t go back to their birth families that’s how we end up with cases like baby P

[@user-kk2pc7ik7t]

This hits so close to home. I was harassed/ bullied when living in such a place in Norway. The amount of effects it has on you at such a young age is horrible. Thank you for addressing this.

[@GiacomoSorbi]

6:00 - I lived for 2 years, until few months ago, next to other people "managed" by Harvest Care Group (HCG). And I say "managed" in double quotes since they were actually left completely unsupervised, binging on junk food, booze and drugs - making up some extra money dealing drugs and stealing bikes while very sloppily pretending to apply for jobs. I had to live with basically untouchable former convicts wasting a lot of the money I am heavily taxed out of my pockets with drugs I had to smell and breath all the time; I was more than once threatened with lethal violence by at least 3 different "good kids" and received nothing but blame on me (how? Why? Not sure) from social workers handsomely profiting from this situation of deranged and spiralling degrade. Add countless hours of lost sleep, all the health damage from passive smoke and very loud yelling/fighting deep in the night, the personal risk of having unhinged thugs around me in an area they could never afford and the sadness of knowing their support cost ~£2-5k/month. Each. The met police was mostly a disappointment, IMHO in no small part due to the ethnicity of the most violent one: they only showed some annoyed interest when I told them that "people like him" would just keep escalating, completely unrestrained. I was severely, sternly asked what I meant by "people like him" and when I replied "uh, people doing nothing with their days and in a gang?", they went back in lethargic disinterest about the whole matter, having confirmed I did not have some racial bias 🙄. He was finally arrested once he was so smart to throw a knife a a policeman that wanted to talk with him: that tells you a lot about his impulse control. HCG, including Cameron himself the few times he bothered to make himself available to either me or the landlords, were completely irresponsible, incompetent and ultimately callus in not dealing with it at all: I was shut down and constantly told "they were good kids" (I knew for a fact all had previous criminal offences, not to mention their threats) and I was the problem, since nobody else complained (false: I was contacted about the drugs and loud noises even from people leaving in more distant flats).

[@joebloggs5186]

We should make our public boarding schools take them.

[@joebloggs5186]

Give them the chance to change their lives.

[@nt1388]

@@joebloggs5186 public boarding school do you not see the problem

[@julesniles4478]

It's not the young people it's the untrained staff that these places are using. I worked at this home and it was only interested in making money out of these kids. They exploited the young people and negligent was trifling. Theses place's must be regulated and it imperatively URGENT

[@jenniferchase4236]

All I heard was a bunch of people talking about what needs to be done. But no one ever follows up with how to make changes. Not where the funding will come from .

[@benbow7]

Given what happened in Rotherham and many other places the regulated ones don't appear to be too great either.

[@dreamclaw00]

They aren't, believe me.

[@sarina5352]

Adults will never ever in a million years will realise how painful and horrible it is to be, this tiny little body and mind stuck in often sick place, it tortures and tears you apart mentally to such an extent that, even when someone grows up they can't forget what happened to them as child, for a fact childhood never comes back and if an adult snatches that from a child, that is in my opinion the biggest child abuse. 😢

[@asdbowers]

Imagine the impact this could have had, if the BBC were as thorough and vocal about the grooming gangs.

[@henridobbs2423]

Adam Bowers it’s interesting you make this issue about the race of the culprits rather than their actions Adam.

[@suzimonkey345]

h d Race?? I don’t understand. He didn’t mention race...

[@henridobbs2423]

Suzi Monkey he didn’t have to.

[@suzimonkey345]

h d What? How can he “make this issue about race” when he didn’t even mention race?

[@asdbowers]

@@henridobbs2423 my comment was to show the stark difference in reporting of the two issues. One affects a couple of thousand children, the other, almost half a million young girls. It's not about race, it's about cultures that that don't hold the same values that we do. Highlighting it usually results from those on the left using it to smear the messenger, or somehow defend child rapists by insinuating that child grooming gangs are a result of far right groups.

[@earlybirdflights9884]

I live next to a care home like this and it's been 18 years of hell, they bang on our walls regularly evenings and day, shouting loud music etc. We have called the police over and over again and nothing gets done, We have also contacted the council and never get a reply. Does anyone know how to get this care home moved?

[@youtubecensorsyouropinions6638]

We need to look after our own people more, instead of paying billions abroad to foreigners who despise us.

[@kronossonork6994]

You're not saying Israel despises us surely?

[@nt1388]

Sadly leaving the European Union was a mistake or are you still happy dumass

[@julesniles4478]

The system is set to create failure in people and doesn't sympathise with the age. The more vulnerable they are the more profit is made unfortunately its not about looking after foreigners more than our own. The system is designed this way for their own purpose.

[@shhshagshajak73]

@@kronossonork6994 may god destroy israe

[@krisdiamond4045]

why not provide the fostering service with financial support in keeping and supplying safe home surroundings for the 16+ people staying with them .instead of cutting the financial support from 18 onwards its disgusting an insult to learn how these children are being exploited when moved on... look to the children young people to tell you it does not work to move them on from fostering placements.. i personally feel insulted and terribly hurt by how we are all treated. Children, young people and carers. the system is more than broken.

[@dorapalma767]

Well done you Claudia 😘

[@lawrencebrown3677]

Regulation does not mean that there is an administrative structure and an absolute duty of care to ensure that all possibilities for any type of criminality not to occur. That is why the likes of Cyril Smith & Saville and others were free to practise their abuse without the likelihood of facing any legal challenge to their activities. The running of such homes was in the hands of people with absolute authority and control of everything that went on and the abusers were part of a network where other agencies were involved and the personnel in these constituted a stonewall which could prevent and thwart anyone who tried to expose what was going on. Tim Fortescue , a former Tory whip in Westminster, admitted that MPs of his party came to him when they had been involved such risky behaviour to fix it so that they did not have to worry about facing any consequences for their actions. That is the level to which things were taken to hush things up. There was a YT upload of Fortescue admitting it. The failure, if not active complicity of agencies charged with protecting society like the police, has been palpable and outrageous.

[@Tracks777]

awesome content

[@aeydra]

Having a criminal conviction doesn't automatically exclude the person from a child care job??! WHAT???

[@gina2190]

Omg

[@veronicamoody3981]

It is not always clear cut. Many people who work in the helping field and who may have a clean record do NOT know what the hell they're doing!! Many lack empathy, common sense,are biased and don't know how to respond effectively to a lot of situations. I understand that people who have certain problems or issues won't be appropriate for child care, but at the same time a person could be in recovery from addiction and may therefore have some valuable useful experience. I felt like her statement was a bit prejudiced and shows a lack of knowledge and experience.

[@marimurphy3856]

Your so right care was anight mareleast to say,children in care suffered abuse for years I have tried to get my files people have tried to find them no such luck I'm a nobody what happened to me has hunted me all my life all these monsters need to be held accountable for the abuse in the homes.

[@marimurphy3856]

Scotland has the same problems. 😡

[@RylkoB-e9z]

“Supporting “ independent leaving is for over 16, not under. Still wrong, all those places should be registered, regulated

[@brakhahoward]

And why are the children removed in the first place?? To make thousands of removal money on the night of removal itself.....

[@judis6224]

Money and control they stuff up and rate payers pay more for stupid things older people worked to death.mental health big business don't get it.illegal to take 16 yr away from parents make out they are bad illegal.cops judges families stake holder in court system illegal.orange game tiki is what its called now in new Zealand Maoris in control whites doing the bidding illegal are stake holders as well.admitted to taken illegally.intitled to find him and ask for his file.told to ask his permission told by customer service I don't need it corruption 101.told judges cops can't stop you then cop following you.making too much money for them.given to known pedifilers illegal put on drug illegal.don't get remains.if they have said know they blame the parent illegal.narsisists.all to do with late husbands trolop of a mother didn't want her kids.no evidence.lie conive steal.disappeared.get a private investigated self defense classes and legal toys.

[@Snwman_]

I hope Klaudia is doing well after being let down by a council and government

[@krisdiamond4045]

her face lit up and shows how proud she is of her own accomplishments...good on you klaudia

[@marimurphy3856]

Well done girl ,you are so brave.❤️🙏

[@Pilotalphapapa]

First female cop was 🔥

[@devrubdasdav]

Wow, would 25,000 pounds per child per month be enough?

[@TheLordHiggs]

Why is the majority of the UK so grotty?

[@carlosifer]

Because the government is turning more right wing where society becomes more selfish and the idea of small government becomes a reality .

[@thelostboy916]

Overpopulation. Too many people on a small island.

[@tvrtvr6984]

@@carlosifer too young to remember the 70s or too ignorant to look up 1970s uk.

[@bennyboy2079]

Its not

[@ChannelStonie]

National service

[@chefblanc]

Ive witnessed the corporate evolvement of 'care' over the last 20 odd yrs. When I first entered it organisations that were involved were mostly non profit , ethical projects set up by groups of individuals who were not there for the profit. fast forward 20 yrs and its all very corporate, profit making and lacks ethics and humanity. Private company's become involved to make profits. Add in over regulation by cqc who well meaningly try to implement the last social philosophises, guidelines which are pointless. Staff get alienated ,burnt out and move on. Get rid of the companys and take back to non profit models, pay staff decent wages for giving up their lives, re purpose cqc [they are to blame also] and you may get back to a better rmodel.

[@krisdiamond4045]

no change 2021 ...

[@strengthbydesign]

More money is not needed, there is plenty, use of the money correctly for the children’s good is all that’s needed. The money the local authorities steal from the tax payer and children could have been a deposit for a flat for each and every one of these children, in fact they could have bought them a house outright couldn’t they at £20k per month! Oh my god. Both my sons were dragged into care by violent foul mouthed bailiffs 3 years ago, so that’s 6 years worth of 10 - 20k per month wasted which would add up to between £720 thousand to £1,440 million! Wasted by local authorities on just two boys when they could have supported them in our case at home but never even tried. I’m calling this a bigger scandal than the post office scandal wake up.

[@Danniel162]

Paying £20K a month for a child? Where this money is going to? Who’s getting them and what for? This is something makes me feel that lots of… are corrupted in this field. Please let me know more about this issue as I’m really concerned about 4 children being in foster care where they been beaten, sexual abused and neglected as they left alone in the house while drinking in the pubs at night time. Leaving a 4 years old child with special needs alone in the park where there was so dangerous for the child which already felt down and had lots of bruises and scratches and she hit her head of stones. All of those been covered up and no one has done anything. Can anyone help in this situation? Please contact me and let’s help lots of children who’s in this situation.

[@Vivien-d4u]

Lots of changes for worse. Authorities aware, complicit in abuse of children. Care business on tax payers expenses.

[@judis6224]

All crap money and control hate social workers.

[@marimurphy3856]

They take you from a abused home to go into a home that you are abused by staff it's absolutely despicable staff where horrible monsters it's absolutely heartbreaking and very disturbing. 😡

[@NoorlgUddin]

Need 10 yes of prison time for knife crimes or drug dealings. Otherwise those assist living is nothing but. Dopehouse/ brothels under the radar

[@steve06030]

Doesn't mention the abuse the staff get every day and the lack of support from police..why don't they make fostering mandatory?

[@jadehay7467]

If you wanna talk about them things make your own documentary this one is about the experience of children in the system and we also deserve to have a voice

[@natashalucas9628]

I should of come on this I ended up on drugs for 25yrs and I have been clean 6yrs now I was sexuall physical abuse

[@kerrie173]

Omg crag Cameron was my pa at kitkat leaving care service in kitkat terrace in Bow 😢😢😢😢

[@WillScarlet1991]

Where are the parents of these kids??

[@trillernight]

That's how the problem started.

[@WillScarlet1991]

@@trillernight Yep.

[@kezabel7201]

They’re care leavers for a reason so why do you think it would be any different

[@demi-louiseknott18]

Hiya will, I lived in this care home when this was being recorded. The staff was very manipulative towards my mother and used to ring her up and make her sound like I was a monster. All because I used to stand up against staff for the way they treated me. Living here was the worst experience of my life and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone

[@acelegal3854]

Broken society... 🙄

[@fearfactorymark]

I’m calling out Rydal Childrens Home - St James Road. Dudley ! Dudley Social services ! 1991-1993

[@fearfactorymark]

@zachary_651 ?

[@fearfactorymark]

@zachary_651 I hear ya

[@sarahslater2386]

My son was 11 when put in to home with older kids I reported drug use twice and nothing was dun he was allowed out until 2 in morning no he's with cares Who need to try and get him how he was be4 he went in there even the staff said he was to young

[@carlsutherland3020]

Lot said about these but no one talks about Residential care homes

[@marimurphy3856]

This has gone on in Scotland for years.😡

[@Emmyhughes88]

It’s happening everywhere!

[@marimurphy3856]

I was 16 when I left it's fare to young I had panic attacks I was so scared your on your own it's disgusting 🤢

[@judis6224]

No one is qualified just excuses it won't change.

[@NoorlgUddin]

She probably got tricked by those guys too ???

[@razabadass]

:’(

[@steve06030]

Sensationalism at its best

[@marimurphy3856]

Scotland has the same problems. 😡

[@VCYT]

18:44 - Is that a Gruffallo ?

[@sabat8068]

:'(...

[@suzesinger6762]

Where is Cloudia NOW ¡¿¡¿♡♡

[@azagtheenchanter5077]

They teach u f ings!

[@fgvevdbcbvng]

War zone

[@LuciaP-xl2ju]

And police support those places.

[@SimmoJamie]

🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧

[@edwardmal1802]

this is a short film is quite anti Semitic

[@trillernight]

Could you point out the time stamp where it took place.. Please?

[@JodeneElizabethBeavers]

Why do you say that? Because this video is about failures in caring for innocent children who are at risk from physical abuse, sexual abuse & trafficking. So if this video is "antisemitic" then i too am antisemitic because Semitics* look to destroy all possible chances of a brighter happier future by acting like this in #THEPRESENT