40 years ago this week, I landed in the UK, alone, still only 18, with my life packed into a small, battered suitcase. I had no plan, just a promise to keep as many miles as possible between me and my parents. (Thread) 1/
It was a rubbish time to come to England to try your luck. This was Thatcher’s Britain, with millions out of work. I spoke poor English and had no qualifications after dropping out of school. 2/
But I hustled my way into jobs, stacking shelves, clearing gardens and working in a print shop. I lived in digs with the sweetest, older couple who treated me with kindness. I even returned briefly to school. 3/
I began writing for the local paper, the Hayling Islander, covering golden wedding anniversaries and fetes. I got around town on an old red postie’s bike held together with wire and sticky tape. Then another local paper offered me an actual job. 4/
Eventually, I blagged my way into The Times. I expected to last just a few months before being found out, but ended up staying for almost 25 years. 5/
My greatest fortune was meeting some amazing people early on, including my wife-to-be. She was there when I couldn’t afford to pay the rent and or find work. But she has always believed in me. 6/
She is by my side now, mum to two daughters, a grandmother and a ’mum’ to 20 foster children, most of whom are still part of our large, rumbustious family. 7/
I realise this is a shit time to be young and uncertain. These days remind me of when I pitched up here, all those years ago, overwhelmed at times by what the future may hold. 8/
I know that one day you too will look back, with no small amount of wonder, and see how it all panned out for you and your loved ones. FWIW, my advice is to find people you can trust and love, and keep plugging away at what you believe. 9/
Stay true to yourself. But if you can’t, remember that you can always find your way back. And don't take no for an answer. 10/ends
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Ofsted has published new data showing how children's homes have become a huge, money-spinning business. If you are squeamish about these things, look away now. 🧵
More than 4 in 5 children’s homes were owned by private companies (2,748 homes, 83%), which accounted for 9,648 places (77%) of 12,458 places.
The 22 largest companies owned 968 homes, which is 35% of all private children’s homes, and 28% of all children’s homes.
Just 1 in 6 private children’s homes (434, 16%) were owned by a single provider rather than part of the ownership chain of a larger company.
Shocking but true... local councils paid the Government of Abu Dhabi £173 million last year for the care and education of children in care via the private company Witherslack Group. …te.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/035791…
Profits of almost £36 million represent a margin of around 20%, which is extraordinary given the nature of the 'business'.
To find out who owns Witherslack you have to track back through other companies until you get to Witherslack Aggregator, and then at the very end in small print there’s this:
More on the privatisation of the care of vulnerable children. You may never have heard of Graphite Capital. But this private equity firm has been one of the UK’s biggest providers of children’s homes and foster care over the years. 🧵
In the past it has bought and later sold companies like Compass and National Fostering Group, extracting millions of pounds while loading them with colossal debts before selling them on to investment groups. Standard financial engineering, but with children in care as assets.
These days it owns the Horizon group of companies. Horizon runs 42 children’s homes for around 120 children and nine schools. It also provides supported accommodation for almost 400 young people, from the age of 16, including many who are still in council care.
Ofsted has suspended this children’s home in Staffordshire run by the private company TS Children Services Ltd because of serious failings in the care of vulnerable children. This home was only registered in January. reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/272…
This is the second children’s home recently registered by TS to be found to be putting children at risk this month. The first home is in Dudley.
Children in care for sale: Compass Community, one of the UK’s biggest providers of foster care, children’s homes and special education, has been sold by Graphite Capital to another private equity firm, Cap 10.
No purchase price disclosed, but Compass was paid more than £100 million by local councils for care and education last year.
It won’t surprise regular readers to learn that Cap 10 is based in the offshore tax haven of Luxembourg….
A Sunday slice of foster care life: 15 months or so ago, when the boys first came to live with us, they struggled being in crowded spaces. When we took them for their first ever haircut, they were very anxious. 🧵
The young barber sat down on the floor with them, outside his shop, and talked gently to them until they felt ready to go inside. His care put them at ease and they sat for him so he could cut their hair.
Fast forward, and our two happy and confident boys always look out for him and give him a cheery wave. They run in for their haircuts and share all their news. He always remembers who they are and what they’re about, no matter how busy he is.