Lots is happening regarding the Kendall House abuse but for now im not allowed to talk about it publicly although im keeping it to a minimum on twitter. I wish I could say more as im so used to saying whats on my mind publicly in order to expose the abuse so now ive got to keep quiet im not finding it easy thats for sure
Its a very lonely world when you cant say anything and you just want to talk to somebody, anybody or anyone that will listen but for now I have to say nothing. So unfortunatly I cant update anyone on the KH abuse scandal
I can however talk about drugging children in care as its an experience I went through growing up and that was a living hell I wouldnt wish on anyone not even my darkest enemy, not that I have any dark enemies.
Every Day I get an email from someone who was drugged as a child some of the stories are truly shocking. And whilst my experience was terrible to the point you'd think nothing shocks me or gets to me, my experiences don't stop me being so taken back that there are times I have to walk away from my pc, grab a cup of tea, have a cry and take a few deep breaths before I get back to replying to every one of those emails.
It's those emails that keep me going, keep me strong and they are my strength. The amount of support ive had from total strangers is overwhelming emotionally for me as I often wonder where I would be if I didnt have that kind support.
What i'm trying to say is
Thankyou to everyone for your love, care, support and for being there for me at times ive felt like giving up
With Love
Teresa xxx
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Friday, 11 December 2009
To Love Someone by Teresa Cooper
To Love Someone
To love someone is a priceless gift
It cannot be bought or sold
Its value is far greater
Than a mountain built of gold
For gold is cold and lifeless
It can neither see nor hear
And when in times of trouble
It is powerless to cheer
It has no ears to listen
No heart to understand
And when in times of trouble
Cannot reach out a helping hand
So when I ask God for a gift
I am thankful that he sends
No diamonds, pearls or riches
But sends the love of a real true friend
By Teresa Cooper (c)
To love someone is a priceless gift
It cannot be bought or sold
Its value is far greater
Than a mountain built of gold
For gold is cold and lifeless
It can neither see nor hear
And when in times of trouble
It is powerless to cheer
It has no ears to listen
No heart to understand
And when in times of trouble
Cannot reach out a helping hand
So when I ask God for a gift
I am thankful that he sends
No diamonds, pearls or riches
But sends the love of a real true friend
By Teresa Cooper (c)
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
A womans worth - author unknown
I was emailed this and thought it was well worth posting
One Flaw In Women
(you will see what it is in the end)
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
But they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
And laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer
When they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
And cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
A birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
Yet they are strong when they
Think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
Can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
To show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
Family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
And everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH
One Flaw In Women
(you will see what it is in the end)
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
But they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
And laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer
When they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
And cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
A birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
Yet they are strong when they
Think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
Can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
To show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
Family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
And everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Friday, 15 February 2008
Getting your personal files
Access to files is a difficult task if you don't know what to do or where to start. Ive enclosing government web site document url's too so that you can find any related information and data information.
If you were in care of the local authority then the authority you were in care with will hold your records. However, if you were in a childrens home outside of the area of you were in care with, it is advisable to contact that local archives centre as they often hold their own set of records relating to that children's home and its ex residents. Those in care with local church organisations will also find their files in archive in the area of where that church organisation is situated.
If you were fostered in a different area to which you were in care with, they too are likely to hold information in the area of which the foster parents resided so it's always good to contact the local archive centres on the area you were fostered in.
http://www.ico.gov.uk
PDF Doc on the 40 days rule and information
Click on the link S Subject access - a guide for subject data
This pdf document will give you all the relevant information on data protection.
The 40 day rule
The 40 day rule seems to be a problem which leaves many people confused as I have recently found out when helping people access thier records.
40 days had expired from the date of which a request was made in writing by the subject (subject 1) and the other subject (subject 2) has only a matter of days left before the 40 day rule expired. Neither subjects had been contacted by the organisation to say there would be a delay. It took that organisation three weeks to get the form out to the first subject.
When the organisation was contacted by both subjects and myself because the time had expired or was due to expire the organisation explained to the two subjects and myself that their legal department had informed them that the 40 day rule starts from when they get the files out. If that were the case then that could be open to abuse as already experienced because that would effectively mean that organisations can find the files when ever it suits them which would far exceed the 40 day rule if they were to for example go and find the files 6 months later.
I spoke to the information commissioners yesterday 24th Nov 06 and was given the information hence the links provided. This is aparently not correct information that the subjects had been given.
The organisation only took one subjects file out two weeks ago knowing the 40 days has almost expired and the other subject they had in fact held that file for many weeks and have already expired the 40 day rule stating the rule starts from when they get the subjects file and written request. It didn't seem to matter to them that it took them 3 weeks to send the form out to the subject in the first place. This is unacceptable.
I asked the information commissioners why 40 days and the reply was "because thats the average time it takes to get the request in writing, get the files out of archives, copy them, take out 3rd party information and send them to the subject. 40 days is considered the appropriate time it should take from begining to end and only in rare circumstances such as the subjects files can't be located can make the process longer. In that case the subject must be informed in writing as to the delay. This was not done in the situation of subject 1.
If you find you have not recieved your files and not had anything in writing to state why then please either ring the information commissioners for advice or go to their website and lodge a formal complaint stating clearly who you are making the complaint against.
You can also ring them on 01625 545700 if you need further assistance and advice
When you recieve your files you are entitled to have someone go through your files with you and answer any questions related to your files that you don't understand or just be there for you and give you support.
When I requested support from Wandsworth after recieving my care files which took me 13 long years to get, they refused and cut off all contact with me. I also took note that they had in fact taken out information that was NOT 3rd party because I had my KH files and when I finally received my Wandsworth care files they had included someone elses case conference file in mine. Yet more blunders from Wandsworth. I also contacted the Conservative leader by the main Conservative web site contact form and it took them 3 weeks to reply to my email and I haven't heard from them since and that was two months ago now.
One thing I do know, there is still NOT enough being done for survivors of abuse nor victims of abuse and there is no point in contacting leaders because you simply get thrown to one side and ignored.
Not the best way forward by any party that should lead by example. It seems to me that these leaders follow their own agenda which is 'do as I say and not as I do'.
If you were in care of the local authority then the authority you were in care with will hold your records. However, if you were in a childrens home outside of the area of you were in care with, it is advisable to contact that local archives centre as they often hold their own set of records relating to that children's home and its ex residents. Those in care with local church organisations will also find their files in archive in the area of where that church organisation is situated.
If you were fostered in a different area to which you were in care with, they too are likely to hold information in the area of which the foster parents resided so it's always good to contact the local archive centres on the area you were fostered in.
http://www.ico.gov.uk
PDF Doc on the 40 days rule and information
Click on the link S Subject access - a guide for subject data
This pdf document will give you all the relevant information on data protection.
The 40 day rule
The 40 day rule seems to be a problem which leaves many people confused as I have recently found out when helping people access thier records.
40 days had expired from the date of which a request was made in writing by the subject (subject 1) and the other subject (subject 2) has only a matter of days left before the 40 day rule expired. Neither subjects had been contacted by the organisation to say there would be a delay. It took that organisation three weeks to get the form out to the first subject.
When the organisation was contacted by both subjects and myself because the time had expired or was due to expire the organisation explained to the two subjects and myself that their legal department had informed them that the 40 day rule starts from when they get the files out. If that were the case then that could be open to abuse as already experienced because that would effectively mean that organisations can find the files when ever it suits them which would far exceed the 40 day rule if they were to for example go and find the files 6 months later.
I spoke to the information commissioners yesterday 24th Nov 06 and was given the information hence the links provided. This is aparently not correct information that the subjects had been given.
The organisation only took one subjects file out two weeks ago knowing the 40 days has almost expired and the other subject they had in fact held that file for many weeks and have already expired the 40 day rule stating the rule starts from when they get the subjects file and written request. It didn't seem to matter to them that it took them 3 weeks to send the form out to the subject in the first place. This is unacceptable.
I asked the information commissioners why 40 days and the reply was "because thats the average time it takes to get the request in writing, get the files out of archives, copy them, take out 3rd party information and send them to the subject. 40 days is considered the appropriate time it should take from begining to end and only in rare circumstances such as the subjects files can't be located can make the process longer. In that case the subject must be informed in writing as to the delay. This was not done in the situation of subject 1.
If you find you have not recieved your files and not had anything in writing to state why then please either ring the information commissioners for advice or go to their website and lodge a formal complaint stating clearly who you are making the complaint against.
You can also ring them on 01625 545700 if you need further assistance and advice
When you recieve your files you are entitled to have someone go through your files with you and answer any questions related to your files that you don't understand or just be there for you and give you support.
When I requested support from Wandsworth after recieving my care files which took me 13 long years to get, they refused and cut off all contact with me. I also took note that they had in fact taken out information that was NOT 3rd party because I had my KH files and when I finally received my Wandsworth care files they had included someone elses case conference file in mine. Yet more blunders from Wandsworth. I also contacted the Conservative leader by the main Conservative web site contact form and it took them 3 weeks to reply to my email and I haven't heard from them since and that was two months ago now.
One thing I do know, there is still NOT enough being done for survivors of abuse nor victims of abuse and there is no point in contacting leaders because you simply get thrown to one side and ignored.
Not the best way forward by any party that should lead by example. It seems to me that these leaders follow their own agenda which is 'do as I say and not as I do'.
A child is being beaten
Heres a section out of the book a child is being beaten written by K S Perinpanayagam and I'd like to hear your views
A short history of the adolescent services from 1965
Chapter 3
Page 88
A short history of the adolescent services from 1965
This chapter gives a short history of the adolescent services starting in 1965, when the government White Paper "The Child, the family and the young offender" was published and the approved schools system was abolished. It was the birth of psychodynamics in the service for adolescents - treatment was being designed to deal with the cause. This progresive move did not last long. Restriction of punishment in schools followed by an upsurge of indisipline, misunderstandings about psychodynamics and the socio-political mood of the time led to a demand for harsh treatments. This was eventually given clinical validation by the report of the health advisory service of 1986. This report discarded psychodynamics as of no importance, leaving "Reward and Punishment" Behaviour therapy as the only alternative. The chapter ends with an evaluation of the kind of reward and punishment behaviour therapy used for adolescents - operant conditioning.
The need for something new and different in the adolescent service, a method that seeks and deals with the cause, began to be recognised by the government in the mid sixties when the success rates of the approved schools had fallen to 38%, from 85-90% in the early twentieth century (Mays, 1975). The government of the day investigated the nature of this apparently inexplicable phenomenon and in August 1965 published a "White Paper, The Child, the Family and the young offender". The White paper stated:
The government attaches great importance to further development of the service concerned with the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and with other similar problems affecting children and their families.... juvenile delinquency has no single cause, manifestation or cure. It's origins are many and the range of behaviour which it covers is equally wide. At some point it merges almost imperceptibly with behaviour which does not contravene the law. A child's behaviour is influenced by genetic , emotional and intellectual factors, his maturity and his family, school, neighbourhood and wider social setting. It is only a minority of children who grew up without ever misbehaving in ways which maybe contrary to the law (2HMSO,command 1968.)
The importance of the relationship between the offender, the offence, and the cause was being recognised. The idea of clinical treatment for delinquency and adolescent disturbance on a wide scale was brought in for the first time.
Together with the publication of the White Paper the approved schools were abolished. The emphasis was shifted from training out or suppression of the delinquency, as in the approved school system - behavioural method- to recognising and dealing - psychodynamics method. This was the begining of formal recognition of the concept of psychodynamic treatment for disturbed youngsters.
There was a new found freedom in the clinical field for responsible experimentation and research in the treatment of delinquency and adolescent conduct disorders. The causes and rational treatment was being sought. I was the registrar at the northgate clinic in NW9, at the time. Under the leadership of Dr Brian O'Connell, medical director, the staff had the freedom to use a variety of methods of investigation and treatment - Behaviour therapy of different types, psychodynamic methods of different kinds, and medication, with non dogmatic, open minded discussions of the highest calibre. Every youngster in treatment was thoroughly investigated, including electroencephalograms- brain wave tests.
It seemed as if a certain philosophy of treatment with an emphesis on meaningful relationships with the offender had a breadth of view - psychodynamics- was the begining to be recognised all over the country, in the NHS and the social services as the most enlightening and effective.
Together with the White Paper and the abolishment of the harsh treatment of adolescents became unpopular. There was a softer mood in the country which extended to all adolescents. The authorities made a clean sweep of it and corporal punishments in schools were also restricted by law. This was a triumph for those adolescents who were delinquently inclined as well as for the ordinary robust, exuberant, youngsters who were in the natural adolescent state of rebellion against authority, who had been controlled by the stringent disaplin in schools, and there was an explosion of adolescent indisiplin and hooliganism.
In the midst of this adolescent indisiplin and increasing delinquency, there was an election promise by the Conservative Party that the prevailing delinquency and crime would be dealt with effectively.
And there was a change in government in 1979. Simply stopping the delinquency in any available way seemed the only thing to do.
HARSH TREATMENT RE- INTRODUCED
The short sharp shock and tough measures for dealing with adolescent disturbancies and dilinquency were introduced no sooner the new government came into power.
However in the Conservative Party manifesto of 1979 was the promise "in certain detention centres we will experiment with tougher regimes..." and reserch was organised by the government.
Then even though there was no formal recognition and acknowledgment once again that punishments and harsh treatment of adolescent disturbance did not bring any useful result, there was no change of policy. It was in this climate that the psychodynamic approach to adolescence was rejected by the psychiatric establishment, ( Bridges over troubled waters, Horrocks, 1986 ) giving clinical authenticity to the socio-political momentum of the time. The only behaviour therapy which could be used en mass - the reward and punishment type, operant conditioning, came in once again, and this time in opposition too, and with the exclusion of the psychodynamic approach.
It is in this time that Pin Down occured in the early nineties, in which concientious staff used the most draconian methods to control youngsters in childrens homes. They thought they were doing their duty, in accordance with the higher authority. In the event they were dismissed from the service, even though the fault was not theirs.
A short history of the adolescent services from 1965
Chapter 3
Page 88
A short history of the adolescent services from 1965
This chapter gives a short history of the adolescent services starting in 1965, when the government White Paper "The Child, the family and the young offender" was published and the approved schools system was abolished. It was the birth of psychodynamics in the service for adolescents - treatment was being designed to deal with the cause. This progresive move did not last long. Restriction of punishment in schools followed by an upsurge of indisipline, misunderstandings about psychodynamics and the socio-political mood of the time led to a demand for harsh treatments. This was eventually given clinical validation by the report of the health advisory service of 1986. This report discarded psychodynamics as of no importance, leaving "Reward and Punishment" Behaviour therapy as the only alternative. The chapter ends with an evaluation of the kind of reward and punishment behaviour therapy used for adolescents - operant conditioning.
The need for something new and different in the adolescent service, a method that seeks and deals with the cause, began to be recognised by the government in the mid sixties when the success rates of the approved schools had fallen to 38%, from 85-90% in the early twentieth century (Mays, 1975). The government of the day investigated the nature of this apparently inexplicable phenomenon and in August 1965 published a "White Paper, The Child, the Family and the young offender". The White paper stated:
The government attaches great importance to further development of the service concerned with the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and with other similar problems affecting children and their families.... juvenile delinquency has no single cause, manifestation or cure. It's origins are many and the range of behaviour which it covers is equally wide. At some point it merges almost imperceptibly with behaviour which does not contravene the law. A child's behaviour is influenced by genetic , emotional and intellectual factors, his maturity and his family, school, neighbourhood and wider social setting. It is only a minority of children who grew up without ever misbehaving in ways which maybe contrary to the law (2HMSO,command 1968.)
The importance of the relationship between the offender, the offence, and the cause was being recognised. The idea of clinical treatment for delinquency and adolescent disturbance on a wide scale was brought in for the first time.
Together with the publication of the White Paper the approved schools were abolished. The emphasis was shifted from training out or suppression of the delinquency, as in the approved school system - behavioural method- to recognising and dealing - psychodynamics method. This was the begining of formal recognition of the concept of psychodynamic treatment for disturbed youngsters.
There was a new found freedom in the clinical field for responsible experimentation and research in the treatment of delinquency and adolescent conduct disorders. The causes and rational treatment was being sought. I was the registrar at the northgate clinic in NW9, at the time. Under the leadership of Dr Brian O'Connell, medical director, the staff had the freedom to use a variety of methods of investigation and treatment - Behaviour therapy of different types, psychodynamic methods of different kinds, and medication, with non dogmatic, open minded discussions of the highest calibre. Every youngster in treatment was thoroughly investigated, including electroencephalograms- brain wave tests.
It seemed as if a certain philosophy of treatment with an emphesis on meaningful relationships with the offender had a breadth of view - psychodynamics- was the begining to be recognised all over the country, in the NHS and the social services as the most enlightening and effective.
Together with the White Paper and the abolishment of the harsh treatment of adolescents became unpopular. There was a softer mood in the country which extended to all adolescents. The authorities made a clean sweep of it and corporal punishments in schools were also restricted by law. This was a triumph for those adolescents who were delinquently inclined as well as for the ordinary robust, exuberant, youngsters who were in the natural adolescent state of rebellion against authority, who had been controlled by the stringent disaplin in schools, and there was an explosion of adolescent indisiplin and hooliganism.
In the midst of this adolescent indisiplin and increasing delinquency, there was an election promise by the Conservative Party that the prevailing delinquency and crime would be dealt with effectively.
And there was a change in government in 1979. Simply stopping the delinquency in any available way seemed the only thing to do.
HARSH TREATMENT RE- INTRODUCED
The short sharp shock and tough measures for dealing with adolescent disturbancies and dilinquency were introduced no sooner the new government came into power.
However in the Conservative Party manifesto of 1979 was the promise "in certain detention centres we will experiment with tougher regimes..." and reserch was organised by the government.
Then even though there was no formal recognition and acknowledgment once again that punishments and harsh treatment of adolescent disturbance did not bring any useful result, there was no change of policy. It was in this climate that the psychodynamic approach to adolescence was rejected by the psychiatric establishment, ( Bridges over troubled waters, Horrocks, 1986 ) giving clinical authenticity to the socio-political momentum of the time. The only behaviour therapy which could be used en mass - the reward and punishment type, operant conditioning, came in once again, and this time in opposition too, and with the exclusion of the psychodynamic approach.
It is in this time that Pin Down occured in the early nineties, in which concientious staff used the most draconian methods to control youngsters in childrens homes. They thought they were doing their duty, in accordance with the higher authority. In the event they were dismissed from the service, even though the fault was not theirs.
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