Looked After: A Childhood in Care

(Paperback)

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Description

Ashley John-Baptiste grew up in the British care system, living with five different families during that time without ever being truly part of a family.

It wasn't easy, or straightforward, and Ashley's ever-changing living situation affected every single part of his life - from his education to his sense of identity to his friendships and his hobbies. And yet, throughout everything his childhood in care threw at him, Ashley remained resilient and found a way to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way.

Now Ashley feels able to tell us - vividly and movingly - how, when it felt like the world was turning its back on him, he refused to be an outsider in his own home and set about establishing a new and positive life for himself.

Looked After is a memoir written from the heart that pulls no punches but demonstrates that given encouragement and love - and, sometimes, a second chance - a care-experienced boy can become a successful broadcaster, a loving husband and a proud father.

Reviews

An inspiring story of triumph over adversity. * Fatima Whitbread *
Ashley John Baptiste joins a high class of writing by upstanding respectful and honourable citizens and professionals, professors and actors, lawyers, doctors, artists and authors, all who happen to have had a life in care. We have every right to tell our story as much as anyone else. Welcome, Ashley. * Lemn Sissay *
Ashley has done the country a great service in shining a light on the inhumane - and at times brutal - way that society supports this most vulnerable group of children. Every politician should read this book and commit to fixing the system. * Sharon White *
This is a book that everyone must read. No matter how you grew up it's for you: it'll make you rethink your own childhood and your relationships with everyone you know. It's funny, moving and of course it's often sad. But mainly it's a beautiful and fascinating and enlightening portrait of the care system, a world that is barely understood by many of us. It is also a proper page turner: the twists and turns and set-backs of his childhood are as gripping as they are shocking. I genuinely couldn't put it down. This story is more urgent and relevant now than ever. * Xand van Tulleken *
Beautifully written, with such immediacy, clarity and warmth * Eamon McCrory, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL *

Author Bio

Ashley John-Baptiste is an award-winning BBC presenter and journalist. A frequent reporter and presenter across The One Show and BBC News, he also presents the BBC One daytime series Expert Witness and co-hosts Dr Xand's Con or Cure.

Ashley grew up in foster and residential care in south-east London and faced a number of school exclusions and suspensions as a child. Despite this turbulent childhood, Ashley gained a place to study history at Cambridge University. Soon after graduating, Ashley fronted a BBC Three documentary about his childhood in care, which kickstarted his career as a BBC broadcaster. He is a much sought-after speaker, where he shares his journey with the aim of giving hope and insight to others.