Years ago I sometimes went out with a friend who was a social worker in Child Care, on her rounds, to keep her company. When she went in to the houses I either stayed in the car or went for a walk but I still learned a lot about children in care from listening to her and it is a subject which has long been of concern to me. Children in care do not always have a horrible time - many are much better off in care than with their families - but of course it is not ideal, no matter how good the Foster Carers. I was reminded of the subject recently when reading an article about some of the great work done in part of Gloucestershire with their childern in care and how they try to organise extra individual help and befriending. I contacted the department to see if they would welcome some copies of my book,'The Battle for Gullywith' for their children in care. Of course they have (varying) access to books at school and from libraries but there are never enough and besides, there`s nothing like having your own. I had a 'holding' acknowledgment  but then a week or so passed and it went from my mind, as things do.

Then, last week, I was absolutely thrilled to receive an e-mail which proved that not all seed gets sown onto stony ground, with the inevitable result. 

I dribbled a ball in from left field and Social Services for South Gloucestershire have picked it up and run with it in a very exciting way.

Your kind offer of some children’s books for children in care has inspired us to set up a reading project for children aged 7 – 12 who are in care to be called Reading Friends.

The Reading Friends project will take reading materials such as your books and others from our library service to children in care (aged 7 – 12) at their home and encourage them to read for pleasure.  Each child will receive at least five one-hour sessions with a Reading Friend who will be a teacher who specialises in supporting the education of children in care.   Where possible, they will use computers and the Internet to promote the use of websites and games that encourage children to read for pleasure. The Reading Friend will also help foster carers to provide an environment where reading for pleasure is part of the family routine and culture.

Foster carers will be helped and encouraged to:

• Develop their confidence and pleasure in reading.
• Read with children, discuss the content of books, and share books within the family and with their friends
• Choose books from those offered by their Reading Friend to read with their child.
• Make use of their local library.

We will give your books to the children to keep, maybe as a reward for having made progress with their reading. 

Wouldn`t it be terrific if other Social Services departments copied the idea and we had a nationwide Reading Friends scheme for children in care ?