News from FFP Member, St Christopher's: “I am not a placement” – A powerful poem

Long term St Christopher’s collaborator, and leading care sector expert Psychotherapist Sarah Dillon, has kindly allowed us to share her powerful poem…

‘I am not a placement’

The poem features in her acclaimed book ‘Therapeutic Parenting Essentials Moving From Trauma to Trust’.

But before you dive in,  a little more about the poem and how it came to be in her own words…

“I have spoken with 458 looked after children regarding terminology . One of the things they have repeatedly said is that they struggle to understand the terminology they are exposed to as a result of being in care. 

The most important thing to remember, is that children are not ‘placements’, they are children. They do not need ‘placements’, they need families. ‘Placements’ are temporary arrangements; our children need stability.

It is important that we carefully consider the terminology we use so that we cease depersonalising fostered children and minimising their experience of being in care.”

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If you or anyone you know is interested in exploring fostering with the St Christopher’s charity, we welcome hearing from you. More info can be found here so reach out today and our friendly team will be in touch.

Source:
www.stchris.org.uk/news