01/16/2026
In the latest My Care Story, Kayla* speaks candidly about having her relationship with her foster parents overlooked by services, her mental health difficulties, and the lack of support around when she was assaulted.
My Care Story is a series dedicated to amplifying the stories of care-experienced individuals and providing social workers with vital insights to improve the support they offer.
Excerpt:
At age seven, Kayla* was taken into care. She was told her mother’s “narcissism syndrome” was to blame.
The entire process was a blur, but the word ‘narcissist’ lodged itself in her mind. It evoked confusion; it was not a word a young child would be familiar with.
When she enquired what the word meant, she was told “bluntly” that a narcissistic person “didn’t care about anyone but themselves”. This would go on to haunt Kayla's childhood, leaving her wondering whether she'd one day wake up to be like her mother.
Years later, now working in children’s social care and well-acquainted with the inner workings of the system, Kayla uses the words “quick” and “traumatic” when referring to her entry into care.
“It was a hard pill to swallow. I was so young; they could have just said, 'You're not going home', and filled in the details later,” she tells me.
“I grew up constantly worrying - I still do – about turning into [my mum], because I didn't have a full understanding of what was wrong with her.”
Read the full story on communitycare.co.uk
To share your story, email our community journalist at anastasia.koutsounia@markallengroup.com
