Jody in Neverland

Chapter 2 - The Meeting

So Jody, the point of this meeting is to start thinking about life beyond Ashdene Ridge. You have another year before you're old enough to leave but it's important to start thinking about it now. So we can start planning. So where do you see yourself after your leave care?

I dunno really. All I know is that I want to be with Tyler. We've always said that we'll get a place together.

Jody, I understand you and Tyler would like to be placed together but unfortunately I'm just not sure that's possible. It was difficult enough to get Tee and Carmen a flat together but I'm afraid it's going to be even more complicated for you and Tyler

Why?

Because mixed sex sharing is not encouraged. Firstly, there's the question of protecting young people. At Ashdene ridge boys and girls aren't allowed in each others room, let alone sharing a room, and its similar in the semi independent flats. Its rare to have two young people sharing, and if they do its normally same sex flat mates. Not to mention its assumed that if a boy and a girl want to share, then they could become a couple and the chances of them breaking up or having some big fall out are even higher than between friends. 

Its not like that with Me and Tyler, we've been friends since we were little kids. We'd never fall out, you know that.

I know but it's not upto me.

I won't move anywhere without Tyler, I don't want to be on my own

I understand that. But I'm afraid its not an option.

How come people that don't even know me, don't even know Tyler, get to decide our futures. How can they know whats right for us?

The policies for semi independent accommodation are based on keeping all young people safe and giving them the right environment to start independent life. They haven't just been made to make life difficult for you, believe me.

Its not fair mike.

I know it seems that way but I can assure the policies are in place to protect you and help you.

If you think being apart from Tyler is whats best for me or that it'll protect me you must be mad.

Jody! That's enough cautioned Mike

Its just not fair and you wont do anything to help.

Jody, now your not being reasonable. I'm your care worker, not a social worker and I certainly don't make the rules for care leavers accommodation arrangements.

Whatever. I thought you were different but now im beginning to realise that I was wrong. You're just like all the other care workers and social workers that reckon that they know what best for us care kids when they don't know at all. Its just all rules and regulations and paperwork and passing on problem kids so you don't have to deal with them anymore. None of your really care.

Jody, its not like that, I want whats best for you, I really do

How many times have I heard that before?  "... I know its hard Jody but its whats best for you. I know you want to stay with your mum but its safer this way. I know it looks scary but it's the best place for you. I know your angry but one day you'll understand we're just trying to protect you and do whats best..." Yeah right. Its just a load of rubbish that care workers and social workers say to shut us up. 

Jody, please just listen to me...

No, you listen to me. You don't know. Your not a care kid and never have been. You've not been torn away from your home and shoved in a house full of strangers. You've not been abandoned by your mum or kept away from your family for your own protection. You've not had to grow up knowing the people that are supposed to love you and care for you have let you down so badly that you can't even see them without a social workers permission. Knowing that you'll never be able to trust anyone again, not properly, because you'll be too scared they'll abandon you if things get tough or they'll laugh at you for being stupid or think you're not good enough. You don't understand and you never will.

Jody stormed out  and slammed the door so hard the office windows rattled.