As I drove us towards the council offices I reassured Zeena that there was nothing to worry about at the review – child-care reviews can be quite daunting for a young person – but she seemed calm. I was more at ease now I knew I wouldn’t have to meet her parents, although I was also a bit disappointed. It would have been an opportunity for us to get to know each other and hopefully build some bridges so we could all work together for Zeena’s good. It would also have given Zeena and her parents a chance to meet in a controlled setting and try to find a way forward. I couldn’t believe that they would disown their daughter for ever because she’d had a boyfriend. Surely at some point they’d forgive her and welcome her home?
We arrived in the council offices’ car park with five minutes to spare, and went into the building. I gave the receptionist our names and the purpose of our visit, and we signed in. She said the meeting was in Room 5.
‘Have you been here before?’ Zeena asked me as we went up the stairs.
‘Yes, many times,’ I said. ‘A lot of meetings I attend in connection with fostering are held here.’
‘Do you like fostering?’ she asked.
‘Yes. I do,’ I said, with a smile.
‘So you like kids?’
‘Yes. You couldn’t foster if you didn’t.’
‘My mother doesn’t like kids,’ Zeena said. ‘I don’t think she would have had us if she’d been given a choice. But where she comes from girls have to marry and have kids or it dishonours their parents. She didn’t have a choice.’
‘That’s a shame,’ I said. It was the first time Zeena had shared something about her mother’s history with me, and what she’d said went some way to explaining why her mother appeared to resent her children instead of nurturing and caring for them.
We arrived outside Room 5. I knocked on the door and then led the way in. Tara was seated at the oak table in the centre of the room and opposite her was a man.
‘Hello,’ Tara said, smiling at us. ‘This is Richard, the reviewing officer.’
I said hello to him and Zeena smiled.
‘Welcome,’ he said.
Zeena and I sat side by side opposite Tara. ‘Zeena’s parents won’t be coming,’ I said to Tara and Richard. ‘Her father left a message on her voicemail.’
Tara looked at Zeena. ‘Was this today?’
‘Yes,’ Zeena said.
‘I tried to phone her father a few times to see if he and her mother were coming to the review, but he didn’t reply,’ Tara said to Richard. It’s usually considered good practice if parents can be persuaded to attend their child’s reviews so that they can have a say in their child’s care. ‘Did he give a reason?’ Tara asked Zeena.
‘No,’ Zeena said, and kept her eyes down.
Richard noted her parents’ absence on the writing pad open before him. ‘Are we expecting anyone else?’ he now asked.
‘No,’ Tara said. ‘Zeena’s school have sent a report, and I’ve had an update from Norma, the child protection police officer. Cathy’s supervising social worker can’t attend as she is on extended leave.’
He made a note of this too. Sometimes the room is full for a child’s review, with parents, grandparents, the child’s teacher, a teaching assistant, the nurse attached to the school and an education psychologist, if involved, but likewise there may only be a few present, as there were now. Only those close to the child or with a responsibility for them are invited to a review.
Although there were only four of us, the meeting would still be structured. Richard began by opening the meeting, noting the day and time, then asking us to introduce ourselves. ‘Richard – reviewing officer,’ he began.
‘Tara – Zeena’s social worker,’ Tara said.
‘Cathy Glass, Zeena’s foster carer,’ I said, smiling at Zeena.
‘And I’m Zeena,’ she said, a little self-consciously.
‘Thank you. I’m glad you felt you could attend,’ Richard said to Zeena, acknowledging that it was a bit of an ordeal for her. Then, looking at me, he said, ‘Perhaps you’d like to start, Cathy, as this is Zeena’s first review.’
I was expecting this; the foster carer is often asked to speak first at a child’s review.
‘I believe you have a son and two daughters?’ he added. He would know this from the information Tara would have sent him.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘My son is twenty-two, and my daughters are eighteen and nineteen – nearly twenty.’
He made a note. ‘There’s just the four of you living in the house?’ he asked, meaning did I have a partner.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Five, including Zeena.’
He made another note. The reason he asked about this was because the profile of the foster carer’s family can play a role in how quickly and how well the child settles in and bonds with family members.
‘So how has Zeena settled in?’ he now asked.
‘She’s doing very well,’ I said, glancing at Zeena. ‘She’s eating and sleeping well, and sometimes likes to cook – which we all enjoy. Zeena has met my parents and gets along very well with all members of my family, especially my daughters. Zeena is obviously worried about her family and misses her little brothers and sisters terribly. I know Tara is trying to set up some contact.’ I paused. Richard was taking notes and I gave him a moment to catch up.
‘Zeena is very bright,’ I continued, ‘and is doing well at school. She goes there on the bus and is managing to do her homework despite all the changes and upset she’s had.’
‘She’s at the same school?’ Richard asked.
‘Yes,’ Tara and I said together.
‘When Zeena first came to me there were concerns about her security and I was advised to be vigilant. Zeena says she feels safe living with me.’
‘Good,’ Richard said. ‘I’ve seen Norma’s report. And health-wise? Are there any concerns.’
I felt Zeena shift uneasily beside me.
‘Zeena has seen Cathy’s doctor,’ Tara said, stepping in. ‘I have been kept informed and updated by Cathy. Zeena has been prescribed a course of antibiotics, which she is taking now.’
‘Thank you,’ Richard said as he wrote. I assumed that after the meeting Tara would inform him about the nature of Zeena’s condition if he needed to know for the review.
‘And the dentist and optician?’ he now asked, looking from me to Zeena. ‘When did you last have an eyesight test and check up at the dentist?’ With a younger child the foster carer would supply this information, but of course Zeena was of an age when she could do it herself.
‘I saw the dentist about four months ago and I didn’t need any fillings,’ Zeena said.
‘Good,’ said Richard. ‘And the optician? Do you wear glasses?’
‘No,’ Zeena said.
Richard made another note. ‘So you are very healthy,’ he said, and Zeena nodded. ‘Are there any other health concerns?’ he now asked Tara and me.
‘No,’ I said, and Tara shook her head.
‘Thank you,’ Richard said. Then he looked at Zeena and smiled. ‘Perhaps you’d like to tell us what it’s like for you living at Cathy’s. It must be very different from life at your home.’ Richard’s manner was quietly confident and reassuring, typical of many reviewing officers I’d worked with.
Zeena met his gaze. ‘Cathy’s house is very different to mine,’ she said softly. ‘But I like it there, and I feel safe with Cathy.’
‘Good,’ Richard said. ‘Can you say a little about why you like it and feel safe there?’
‘I have my own room,’ she began, in the same soft voice. ‘It’s private and everyone has to knock on my bedroom door before they come in. I didn’t have my own room at home, and there was no privacy anywhere in the house, so that’s nice for me. Cathy cooks my meals and does my washing. She looks out for me and worries about me. I have to text her to tell her when I’m on the bus or if I’m going to be late home. She never criticizes me or forces me do things I don’t want to do. She seems to understand when I nee
d time alone. I feel she’s on my side and cares for me. That’s it, really.’
I was deeply touched by all the kind comments Zeena had made, and grateful for the positive feedback. As a foster carer I did what I thought was right for the child, but I could never be certain I was getting it right unless I heard it from the child.
‘That sounds very positive,’ Richard said to Zeena as he wrote. Then, sitting slightly back, he asked her: ‘What are you forced to do at home that you don’t want to do?’
I’d picked up on this comment too, and Tara was looking expectantly at Zeena, waiting for her reply.
The long, thoughtful silence before Zeena answered was out of proportion to what she actually said. ‘Cooking and cleaning.’
‘So you have to do a lot of domestic chores at home?’ Richard asked.
‘Yes,’ Zeena said, concentrating on the table.
‘Is there anything else you would like tell this review about living at Cathy’s?’ he asked.
‘It’s nice,’ Zeena said, clearly feeling she had to say something but wasn’t sure what.
‘Do you need anything to improve your stay at Cathy’s?’
Zeena shook her head.
‘She would like to see her brothers and sisters,’ I put in on Zeena’s behalf.
‘Thank you,’ Richard said. ‘I’d like to wait and talk about contact in a moment when Tara gives her report.’ I nodded. ‘Are you receiving your allowance from Cathy each week?’ he now asked Zeena.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Zeena said.
‘Do you need anything to practise your religion?’
‘No,’ Zeena said.
‘And you’re happy at school?’
‘Yes,’ Zeena replied.
‘Excellent.’ Richard finished writing and then turned to Tara. ‘Would you like to give your report now?’
Tara had some papers in front of her, but she didn’t refer to them as she spoke. She began by outlining the circumstances in which Zeena had come into care – that she’d asked to be taken into foster care because she said she was being abused. Tara added that Zeena had specifically asked for a white carer because she said she’d feel safer. ‘You’re aware of the security concerns surrounding Zeena’s placement?’ Tara said to Richard.
‘Yes,’ Richard said. ‘I assume her family haven’t found out the address of where she’s staying.’
‘Not as far as we know,’ Tara replied.
Richard made more notes as Tara continued with her report. She said that DI Norma Jones was the child protection police officer involved in Zeena’s case and had met with Zeena a number of times, although Zeena hadn’t made a statement. She said that at present there was insufficient evidence to mount a prosecution. She also said that although there was no official contact between Zeena and her family, her father had been to the school and had also telephoned Zeena and threatened her. She said Norma had spoken to both of Zeena’s parents and an uncle. Then she said she’d been trying to set up some contact for Zeena to see her siblings, but her parents were still refusing. ‘Zeena has seen her siblings at their school though,’ she added.
‘Was this recent?’ Richard now asked Zeena.
I glanced at Zeena, who clearly didn’t know what to say, perhaps feeling she might get into trouble, so I updated Richard. ‘Zeena went to their school on Monday and Tuesday of this week,’ I said. ‘But she only saw them for a few minutes.’
‘Were either of your parents at the school?’ Richard asked Zeena.
‘My mother,’ Zeena said.
‘And how did that meeting go?’ he asked her.
Zeena shrugged and looked uncomfortable again, so I stepped in. ‘From what Zeena tells me, her mother was annoyed and embarrassed. Zeena thinks that if she keeps going to the school, eventually her mother will agree to let her see her brothers and sisters, but I’m not so sure and I have concerns for her safety.’
‘So do I,’ Richard said as he wrote. Then he looked at Zeena. ‘At your age we can’t stop you going to your brothers and sisters’ school, but it would be better if you waited for Tara to arrange contact.’
Zeena gave a small, half-hearted nod, more polite than agreeing with what he’d said, and I think all the adults present knew she wouldn’t be heeding his warning.
‘I understand there were safeguarding concerns around Zeena’s siblings?’ Richard now asked Tara.
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but these have largely gone now that we understand Zeena’s abuser was most likely an adult boyfriend – from outside of the family.’
Zeena took a breath as though she was about to say something but stopped.
‘Is there something you’d like to add?’ Richard encouraged her.
Zeena thought for a moment and then shook her head.
‘Are you sure?’ Richard asked. Zeena nodded. ‘If you do think of something you want to say then interrupt,’ he said. ‘This review is about you.’
Zeena nodded again.
Tara then took a printed sheet of paper from the pile in front of her and began reading out the report from Zeena’s school, which had been written by the deputy, Miss Birkin. She said Zeena was a pleasant and intelligent student who worked hard and was expected to obtain at least eight GCSE passes, grades A and B, the following year. Zeena was described as a quiet, thoughtful student who needed encouragement to join in class discussion. It said she didn’t participate in after-school activities or go on school trips because her parents wouldn’t give consent. The report from Miss Birkin also said that Zeena had a few close friends, but she didn’t travel home with them on the bus because her father usually collected her from school, although this had stopped once Zeena had gone into care. It ended by saying that all Zeena’s subject teachers considered her an excellent student and a pleasure to teach.
‘Well done,’ Richard said to Zeena as Tara finished. ‘You’re doing very well at school. What do you want to do after you’ve taken your GCSE exams next year?’
‘I’d like to study for A-levels,’ Zeena said. ‘But I don’t know if that will be possible.’
‘I’m sure it will be. You’re very bright,’ Richard said.
He then began winding up the review by asking if any of us had anything else we wanted to say. I said, ‘My family and I are very happy to have Zeena living with us. She’s a lovely person.’ I always like to add a little personal comment at the end of a child’s review. Richard thanked me and then set the date for the next review, which I noted in my diary. Before he closed the meeting he reassured Zeena that Tara would be doing her best to set up some contact so she could see her siblings.
‘Thank you,’ Zeena said quietly.
Once he’d closed the meeting Zeena and I stood, said goodbye and left the room first. As we made our way downstairs I said to Zeena, ‘You did very well. It’s a bit of an ordeal, isn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘I could feel my heart thumping when I had to speak.’
‘I know what you mean,’ I said. ‘But you were fine. Now, you heard what Richard said about seeing your brothers and sisters, so please, no more going to their school. I’d like you to wait until Tara sets up contact.’
‘But I have to make sure they’re all right,’ she said.
There was nothing else I could do but hope she stayed safe.
Chapter Fifteen
Vicious Threats
The following day, Thursday, I saw Zeena off to school, and as usual she looked back and gave a little wave before she disappeared around the bend in the road. She texted to say she was on the bus and then again when she arrived at school.
Later that morning Serena – the carer I was mentoring – telephoned. I was pleased to hear from her. She said she was making good progress with Billy’s behaviour, but sadly he’d disclosed shocking abuse and the police were now involved. While I was very sorry to hear this, Serena and I agreed that it was a positive sign that Billy trusted Serena and her partner enough to confide in them. She was doing all she could to support Billy and
she and her partner also felt more confident in dealing with his challenging behaviour. We talked for nearly an hour, discussing the strategies that had worked with Billy. I offered to visit her again, but she said she felt they were doing all right and that she’d telephone if she needed to. After we’d said goodbye I spent some moments reflecting on little Billy who’d gone through so much. Even though I’d never met him, hearing that a child had suffered stayed in my thoughts and made me sad.
At 3.15, a little before school ended for Zeena, I received a text message from her: Srry Cathy. Didn’t c little ones yesterday. Must c them 2day 2 make sure they’re OK. Don’t worry. I’ll come straight home after. Zeena xx.
I wasn’t wholly surprised, but I felt the nature of Zeena’s visits to see her siblings had changed slightly, from simply missing them to making sure they were safe. Zeena had seen them on Monday and Tuesday, but not Wednesday (because of her review), so she felt she needed to see them today to make sure they were all right. I understood from what she’d told me that she’d brought up her little brothers and sisters and had been like a mother to them. I knew how I worried and fretted over all my children, including those I fostered. It’s natural to want to protect your children and make sure they’re safe. I just wished there was a way she could see them without going to their school, as it antagonized her mother. But without her parents’ co-operation it would be very difficult. However, I knew that Tara was doing all she could to set up contact; good social work practice recognizes the importance of maintaining sibling bonds.
It might have been a sixth sense developed from years of fostering, but I knew that if Zeena kept going to the school it was going to end in tears. It just happened sooner and more worryingly than I’d expected. At 3.40 that afternoon, when Zeena should have been coming home on the bus after seeing her siblings, my mobile rang. I picked it up and saw Zeena’s number in the caller display.
‘Are you all right?’ I asked as I answered.
She wasn’t. ‘Oh Cathy,’ she sobbed. ‘I’m so sorry. You were right. Can you come and collect me?’