It was Friday of the long weekend in November meaning that the children were all off school. It was also the day of Farah's next review. May-Li was nervous as to how it would go as she knew that Helen and Farah didn't have a good relationship. Still Farah refused to speak to Helen. May-Li hoped that with the IRO there, Farah might be more inclined to speak, Karen had been lovely last time and the girl had gotten on with her so hoped the same would happen this time. To May-Li and Farah relieve, the meeting was at 10 o'clock so Farah wouldn't spend the whole day fretting about it.
Farah woke up at 8 o'clock and slowly got ready. She wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone and to make matters worse she had that stupid review today. She just hated everything just now. She didn't understand what was going on and couldn't even explain her feelings to anyone.
"Not wanting breakfast?" May-Li asked as she walked into Farah's room. Farah shook her head. May-Li could tell that the girl seemed off today but she had noticed a real change in the girl over the last couple of weeks and it was not for the better. Finally, Farah was starting to settle in and she was going backwards again.
"I can tell something is up" May-Li said sitting down on the bed.
"It doesn't matter" Farah said as she turned around and curled up on the bed. May-Li sighed, she knew not to push the girl so instead left the room. She stopped before exiting the room.
"Your review starts in half an hour. It would be really good if you were present" May-Li said. She didn't wait for a reply. She wanted to leave the choice up to the girl. They had spoken about the review and May-Li had always said that children should be involved in their review if they care about their future.
Farah stayed in her room trying to decide what she was going to do. She knew it would disappoint May-Li if she wasn't there and she also didn't want people speaking about her while she wasn't there. She heard the doorbell ring and dragged herself out of bed and slugged down the stairs. May-Li was really proud of the girl for coming down and deciding to be part of the review.
"Hello Farah, it's lovely to see you again" Karen said as they walked into the quiet room. Farah followed nervously. She had recently started re-entering the quiet room but it wasn't her first choice of rooms in the house and she still tended to avoid it.
"Hi" Farah whispered nervously. May-Li smiled softly again proud of the girl for speaking. She knew it was hard on Farah but the girl was trying. May-Li just wished she knew what was going through the girl's head just now. Once everyone had arrived, they gathered around the meeting room table.
"So where should we start?" Karen said after they went around the table to introduce each other.
"I notice that a lot has happened since the last review and Farah is now under a full care act and will not be going back with her father. Any other family members?" Karen asked.
"No, all of Farah's mother's family died in a tsunami in Thailand, her father was in the care system himself" Helen said abruptly. Farah was shocked, she didn't know that.
"By Farah's face, it seems she wasn't aware of this" Karen questioned.
"I didn't know my dad was in care" Farah admitted.
"I think communication between social worker and young person needs to improve" Karen said making a note.
"Well she doesn't speak to me so that doesn't help" Helen snapped.
"That is no excuse, you can speak to her. It's clear she listens, and she does speak to others so perhaps having May-Li or Mike present at meetings might encourage Farah to speak. I have to say, she is doing fantastic today" Karen said, and Farah smiled softly.
"So May-Li can you let us know how Farah is getting on at school, etc" Karen asked.
"Farah gets on well at school. The head of year has sent a review to yourself. Farah has worked exceptionally hard and is now caught up. Farah is in good health, her confidence when speaking is improving but only amongst certain people. She will speak to myself and quite a few others in the house. There hasn't been any other incidents since her father was her. She hasn't seen the doctor or had any other appointments" May-Li went on to say.
"Good, any update on the speech and language therapist?" Karen asked.
"I haven't heard anything. I wasn't sure if it was more psychologist help that was needed to overcome the mutism" May-Li treaded nervously and Karen nodded.
"Has a CAHMS referral been made?" Karen asked.
"No because we haven't written up a long term plan for Farah" Helen said formally.
"Isn't this Farah's long-term plan?" Karen asked confused.
"I'm not sure if this is the best place for Farah" Helen said. Farah and May-Li both looked at each other shocked. This was the first time they had heard about this.
"I don't want to move" Farah said instantly starting to panic. Her breathing upped and the humming started.
"Hey everything is okay" May-Li said grabbing the girl's hand and trying to calm her down.
"Farah needs so much one to one attention. She just doesn't get it here. She needs more specialised care. She needs to be in a secure unit" Helen said.
"How can you say that? You don't know her" May-Li snapped as she comforted the girl.
"Don't move me, please don't take me away" Farah begged looking directly at Karen.
"This is the firs time this has been brought up?" Karen asked and all adults nodded.
"This is not the place to be announcing new information like this. I'm really unhappy about the handling of this case, I would like a meeting with yourself and your manager to discuss this" Karen said.
"Why? It was obviously going to happen. The girl is damaged from everything that has happened in the past. She's not like any of the other children here" Helen said not willing to drop it.
"This needs to stop now" Karen said raising her voice. "Farah is right here. May-Li do you have any concerns?" Karen asked and suddenly all the pressure was on May-Li.
"Em, I am concerned about Farah but not so much that she can't live here. She has been more disconnected the last few weeks but it's something that I need to find the time to speak to her about. It's been more difficult as she has been so busy with school. We also need to remember that she is 12, so many things are happening just now. I don't blame her for her moods being all other the place" May-Li said not wanting to lie but also wanting to get her point across fully.
"No I'm sorry. I promise, I'll tell you everything. I will I promise. Please don't send me away" Farah sobbed, and May-Li looked at her shocked. Now she was getting dragged into it as well. She needed to show the girl that she wasn't in on this plan. She was on her side.
"Hey, you know that you don't have to tell me anything until you are ready. I will never pressurize you Farah. I'm on your side" May-Li said pulling the girl into her arms.
"Farah, we aren't going to take you away from here. We just want what is best for you. Are you happy here? Can we do anything to make you feel better?" Karen asked.
"I'm happy here. I love it here, I feel safe. They are like my family. It's just so much has happened and I'm trying to process it all and then I can speak about it. I'm getting better, I'm getting there. I just need time. I get scared that people will be taken away from me like my mum was" Farah admitted.
"You aren't going anywhere just now" Karen said and Farah nodded.
"Do you want some time?" May-Li asked and Farah nodded.
"Go up stairs and I'll check on you soon" May-Li said. Farah nodded before walking over to May-Li. She gave the woman a hug and allowed May-Li to kiss her on the forehead. The always helped her calm down.
The review didn't go on much longer after Farah left. Karen was not happy with Helen and made that point known. The review had gone on longer than she had thought and May-Li realised that she really needed to get lunch started. She felt bad for not having time to pseak to Farah but knew she would do it afterwards.
Once everyone had eaten, May-Li excused herself and walked up the stairs. Jody had asked Farah if she wanted lunch, but the girl had refused. May-Li knocked on the door before walking in. Farah hastily wiped her eyes.
"What's going on sweetie?" May-Li asked as she sat down on the bed next to the girl.
"I'm so confused" Farah admitted. May-Li's heart ached, and she put her arms around the girl.
"Why do I need to worry about where I'm going to live as well as everything else that's going on?" Farah admitted.
"Just forget what Helen said, look how annoyed Karen was about it" May-Li said and Farah shrugged.
"I was wondering, well it sort of came up today as well, do you want to find someone else to speak to? You know rather than me" May-Li said nervously "I've noticed that you don't speak to me as much as you did before"
"I'm sorry I don't mean it. I don't want to speak to anyone else. I trust you a lot. I'm just confused" Farah admitted.
"What are you confused about?" May-Li asked.
"My mind, I can't think straight and then I get all upset and I can't control my emotions" Farah explained.
"It's probably just your age, that won't help. Your hormones will be all over the place" May-Li admitted. Farah nodded wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
"I don't want to get older" Farah said, and May-Li pulled her into her arms.
"You know like last month or something" Farah admitted nervously, and May-Li nodded.
"Well, I spoke to you and we were going to go shopping before my birthday but then we didn't because Floss was ill. I really think I need to go now" Farah admitted, and May-Li looked at her trying to work out what she was on about. May-Li closed her eyes feeling guilty.
"I'm so sorry, I was going to take you bra shopping wasn't I?" May-Li said and Farah nodded.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up again, it's just I've noticed that I'm like growing there now" Farah blushed.
"Don't you dare be sorry for bringing it up again, I never should have forgotten" May-Li said.
"Right well we don't have any plans this afternoon so let's get some food in you and then we can go shopping" May-Li said and Farah nodded. She felt better now.
They went down the stairs and May-Li made sure that Farah had something to eat. After that she told Mike that they would be going out. Mike questioned May-Li at first but all May-Li had to say was "Girl problems" and Mike shut up and left it to May-Li. She laughed at the effect it had on men in general.
The arrived at the shops and went straight to Debenhams. May-Li had taken many of the girls bra shopping so this wasn't a big deal for her but she knew that Farah was nervous.
"Something like this?" May-Li asked holding up a softly padded bra. Farah nodded. May-Li grabbed a few sizes.
"Try them on and put your top back on and I'll check them" May-Li said and Farah agreed. She did what her care worker asked and May-Li was able to check that they fitted correctly. Farah was correct, she had really budded recently but May-Li knew not to make it obvious.
They went round a few more shops before heading back to the dumping ground. Even just from the few conversations they had held today, May-Li was already noticing a real difference in the girl. She hoped that this continued and the girl would be able to express her emotions to her more.
Sorry it's been so long. I've just been finding it so hard to write during lockdown. Hopefully I'll get back into it now.