Overview

A deeply personal and professional journey into the world of children’s social care. Written by a caregiver with nearly five decades of experience, the book blends heartfelt storytelling with a critical look at a system in crisis. Through the author’s own family life and the many children she has cared for, it explores the joys, challenges, and heartbreak of navigating a system designed to protect but often failing those it serves. With compassion and honesty, the author reveals the struggles against bureaucracy, inequality, and the tension between doing what’s right and what’s required. This book is not just a memoir—it’s a call to action. Through gripping anecdotes and insightful analysis, it delves into trauma, resilience, and the importance of genuine relationships. It highlights systemic flaws, corporate interests, and the impact of a compliance-driven culture, while also celebrating the triumphs: the children who thrive, the caregivers who persevere, and the transformative power of connection. For anyone who has worked in social care, fostered or adopted, or simply cares about children’s welfare, this book challenges readers to rethink what it means to provide true care. Poignant, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful, it reminds us that change is possible when we listen, learn, and care.

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9781836283171

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Author Information

Amanda Knowles (MBE) was just 18 years old when she became a housemother in a local authority children’s home and became a Foster Mum at 22. She has been working with children in care for almost five decades in various settings including residential care, family placement, social work, supported accommodation for care leavers and the adults they become.

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