ABOUT

‘Trailblazer’ in the rights movement for children in care.

I am a care-experienced person. I grew up in three children’s homes, the eldest of four brothers. After leaving care, while studying for a media degree, I co-founded and developed the National Association of Young People In Care (NAYPIC) — the first organisation run by and for young people in and leaving care.

I collated the views and experiences of young people across the UK into a major report, Sharing Care, presented as NAYPIC’s evidence to the 1983 Select Committee on Children in Care. The Parliamentary Committee called it “highly influential” — “methodical, comprehensive and representative of an increasing number of children in care.” It was the first time race, gender and child sexual abuse were evidenced as issues within the care system, and its recommendations shaped the Children Act 1989.

I served on the board of the Children’s Legal Centre and on the first steering group of Black and In Care. I made the first ‘care’ videos ever produced in the UK — Black and In Care and Speak Out — in which young people in care presented their own views and creativity.

Film and television

I went on to make films for charities and campaigning organisations through my own company, and worked as Barnardo’s film officer, before training as a director at the National Film & Television School. I have directed drama for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO (in the United States), TG4 in Ireland and M6 in France. Three of my short films have won major awards, and I have been commissioned as a screenwriter — including a personal project for BBC Films set in my own children’s home.

Educator, mentor and assessor

For over thirty years I have taught and mentored across the arts and creative industries, with a particular commitment to opening pathways for care-experienced people. I have lectured at seven universities — including Cardiff and Bath Spa — and worked at Four Corners in east London and Knowle West Media Centre in Bristol. I assess film and television submissions for Coimisún na Meán (formerly the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland), and have done so for the European Union production fund. My PhD research is on looked-after young people and the media.

Today

After three decades in television and teaching, I have returned to the rights movement. I developed and was Lead Development on the Care Experienced Movement; I co-founded the Islington Care Leavers Association and authored the Turning Point report calling for redress for survivors of abuse in Islington’s children’s homes; I served as an Expert by Experience on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care; and I sat on the Global Steering Group for the first Care Experienced History Month. I also conceived and developed a major archive project on the birth of the children’s rights movement and early care experienced pioneers funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

I am currently directing a documentary on the early history of the movement — see The Film.

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