Looked After cover art

Looked After

A Childhood in Care

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Looked After

By: Ashley John-Baptiste
Narrated by: Ashley John-Baptiste
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About this listen

'This is a book that everyone must read. 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

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Ashley John-Baptiste grew up in the British care system, living with five different families, 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.

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'Rage-inducing from start to finish. It is such a powerful story, but it's also a rallying cry for change. It will mean so much to lots of kids out there and should be read by every social worked in the land.' - WES STREETING

'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

'An inspiring story of triumph over adversity.' - FATIMA WHITBREAD

'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

'Beautifully written, with such immediacy, clarity and warmth.' - EAMON McCRORY, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL

©2024 Ashley John-Baptiste (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Parenting & Families Relationships Funny Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
Well done Ashley for speaking up on behalf of all those children growing up without parents and who feel unheard, unseen and unloved. Thank you.

a very brave, vulnerable and honest insight into growing up in the care system.

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Took you on a journey of all the nuance that care providers may not see. Honest and insightful

Thought provoking, Honestly,

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I binged this audio book in days. This book moved me in so many ways. I hope this book can be used to make positive changes for care experienced children. As a mother I just wanted to tell Ashley I will take you in! I am also a secondary school teacher and I will most definitely recommend this book to my colleagues.

What a story

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I couldn't help but think what a poor little boy, how inadequate our care system is. The thought of just throwing a child out at 18 is terrible. How wonderfully well Ashley did, he should be so proud of himself. An excellent listen beautifully written and narrated.

sad and uplifting.

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A real insight into the harsh reality and challenges facing looked after children. As a care experienced person I'm very greatful for Ashley sharing his story, shining a light on this often forgotten subject. Well Done Ashley! ✨️

Raw emotion and honestly

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