The Child Bride (17 page)

‘Oh. Where are you now?’

‘At the bus stop. I should be there in about half an hour.’

‘As long as you’re all right. Did you see your brothers and sisters?’

‘Yes, for a short while. I followed them home, like I did before. Mum was furious.’

‘Zeena, I really don’t think this is the best way to go about seeing them – upsetting your mother.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m fine,’ she said. ‘See you soon.’

Half an hour later Zeena arrived home, happy because she’d seen her little brothers and sisters, but I remained concerned. I told her again I didn’t think it was a good idea to keep going to the school and embarrassing and annoying her mother, but Zeena thought otherwise.

‘If I embarrass her enough she’ll let me see them properly,’ she said, which was the argument she’d used before.

The following day, Tuesday, she did exactly the same, but at least she texted this time to say she would be late home because she was
seeing the little ones at school
. When she arrived home she told me she’d taken them a packet of sweets each. Her mother had tried to confiscate them, but the little ones had made such a fuss she’d had to give in and let them keep them. Zeena smiled as she said this, but my concerns grew.

‘I really don’t think you should be upsetting your mother,’ I said again.

‘I only wanted to give them some sweets,’ Zeena said. ‘It wasn’t done to upset her. She never buys them sweets. I just wanted to treat them like I used to.’

‘I understand that,’ I said. ‘But I have a nasty feeling that upsetting your mother could have consequences.’

And it would turn out later that I was right.

The following day Zeena’s first review was scheduled to take place at four o’clock at the council offices and I was to collect her from school. Children in care have regular reviews where those closely associated with the child meet to ensure that everything that can be done is being done to help them, and that the care plan (drawn up by the social services) is appropriate. It is chaired by an independent reviewing officer (IRO), who also minutes the meeting. Very young children don’t usually attend their reviews, junior-school-aged children often attend part of their review, and at Zeena’s age the young person is usually present for all of their review so they can have a say in the planning of their future and voice any concerns they may have about their care plan.

I dressed smartly for the review and was slightly apprehensive. Zeena’s parents had been invited and I’m always a little nervous at meeting the child’s parents for the first time – most foster carers are – especially if there has been animosity surrounding the placement, as in Zeena’s case.

When I arrived at Zeena’s school, lots of parents were already parked directly outside, so I stopped further along the road and then walked back to stand close to the main entrance where Zeena should be able to see me when she came out. It was a couple of minutes before the klaxon sounded and the children began streaming out in pairs and small groups, laughing and chatting. I spotted Zeena with a friend and gave a little wave. She saw me, said a quick goodbye to her friend and came over.

‘Hi, love. Are you OK?’ I asked as we turned and walked towards the car.

‘My parents won’t be coming,’ she said straight away.

‘No? How do you know?’

‘My father left a message on my voicemail.’

‘Saying what?’

‘Just that they wouldn’t be coming, and to tell the social worker.’

‘Nothing else?’

She shook her head. I had the feeling there was something else, although I thought she wouldn’t be telling me.

As I drove us towards the council offices I reassured Zeena that there was nothing to worry about at the review – child-care reviews can be quite daunting for a young person – but she seemed calm. I was more at ease now I knew I wouldn’t have to meet her parents, although I was also a bit disappointed. It would have been an opportunity for us to get to know each other and hopefully build some bridges so we could all work together for Zeena’s good. It would also have given Zeena and her parents a chance to meet in a controlled setting and try to find a way forward. I couldn’t believe that they would disown their daughter for ever because she’d had a boyfriend. Surely at some point they’d forgive her and welcome her home?

We arrived in the council offices’ car park with five minutes to spare, and went into the building. I gave the receptionist our names and the purpose of our visit, and we signed in. She said the meeting was in Room 5.

‘Have you been here before?’ Zeena asked me as we went up the stairs.

‘Yes, many times,’ I said. ‘A lot of meetings I attend in connection with fostering are held here.’

‘Do you like fostering?’ she asked.

‘Yes. I do,’ I said, with a smile.

‘So you like kids?’

‘Yes. You couldn’t foster if you didn’t.’

‘My mother doesn’t like kids,’ Zeena said. ‘I don’t think she would have had us if she’d been given a choice. But where she comes from girls have to marry and have kids or it dishonours their parents. She didn’t have a choice.’

‘That’s a shame,’ I said. It was the first time Zeena had shared something about her mother’s history with me, and what she’d said went some way to explaining why her mother appeared to resent her children instead of nurturing and caring for them.

We arrived outside Room 5. I knocked on the door and then led the way in. Tara was seated at the oak table in the centre of the room and opposite her was a man.

‘Hello,’ Tara said, smiling at us. ‘This is Richard, the reviewing officer.’

I said hello to him and Zeena smiled.

‘Welcome,’ he said.

Zeena and I sat side by side opposite Tara. ‘Zeena’s parents won’t be coming,’ I said to Tara and Richard. ‘Her father left a message on her voicemail.’

Tara looked at Zeena. ‘Was this today?’

‘Yes,’ Zeena said.

‘I tried to phone her father a few times to see if he and her mother were coming to the review, but he didn’t reply,’ Tara said to Richard. It’s usually considered good practice if parents can be persuaded to attend their child’s reviews so that they can have a say in their child’s care. ‘Did he give a reason?’ Tara asked Zeena.

‘No,’ Zeena said, and kept her eyes down.

Richard noted her parents’ absence on the writing pad open before him. ‘Are we expecting anyone else?’ he now asked.

‘No,’ Tara said. ‘Zeena’s school have sent a report, and I’ve had an update from Norma, the child protection police officer. Cathy’s supervising social worker can’t attend as she is on extended leave.’

He made a note of this too. Sometimes the room is full for a child’s review, with parents, grandparents, the child’s teacher, a teaching assistant, the nurse attached to the school and an education psychologist, if involved, but likewise there may only be a few present, as there were now. Only those close to the child or with a responsibility for them are invited to a review.

Although there were only four of us, the meeting would still be structured. Richard began by opening the meeting, noting the day and time, then asking us to introduce ourselves. ‘Richard – reviewing officer,’ he began.

‘Tara – Zeena’s social worker,’ Tara said.

‘Cathy Glass, Zeena’s foster carer,’ I said, smiling at Zeena.

‘And I’m Zeena,’ she said, a little self-consciously.

‘Thank you. I’m glad you felt you could attend,’ Richard said to Zeena, acknowledging that it was a bit of an ordeal for her. Then, looking at me, he said, ‘Perhaps you’d like to start, Cathy, as this is Zeena’s first review.’

I was expecting this; the foster carer is often asked to speak first at a child’s review.

‘I believe you have a son and two daughters?’ he added. He would know this from the information Tara would have sent him.

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘My son is twenty-two, and my daughters are eighteen and nineteen – nearly twenty.’

He made a note. ‘There’s just the four of you living in the house?’ he asked, meaning did I have a partner.

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Five, including Zeena.’

He made another note. The reason he asked about this was because the profile of the foster carer’s family can play a role in how quickly and how well the child settles in and bonds with family members.

‘So how has Zeena settled in?’ he now asked.

‘She’s doing very well,’ I said, glancing at Zeena. ‘She’s eating and sleeping well, and sometimes likes to cook – which we all enjoy. Zeena has met my parents and gets along very well with all members of my family, especially my daughters. Zeena is obviously worried about her family and misses her little brothers and sisters terribly. I know Tara is trying to set up some contact.’ I paused. Richard was taking notes and I gave him a moment to catch up.

‘Zeena is very bright,’ I continued, ‘and is doing well at school. She goes there on the bus and is managing to do her homework despite all the changes and upset she’s had.’

‘She’s at the same school?’ Richard asked.

‘Yes,’ Tara and I said together.

‘When Zeena first came to me there were concerns about her security and I was advised to be vigilant. Zeena says she feels safe living with me.’

‘Good,’ Richard said. ‘I’ve seen Norma’s report. And health-wise? Are there any concerns.’

I felt Zeena shift uneasily beside me.

‘Zeena has seen Cathy’s doctor,’ Tara said, stepping in. ‘I have been kept informed and updated by Cathy. Zeena has been prescribed a course of antibiotics, which she is taking now.’

‘Thank you,’ Richard said as he wrote. I assumed that after the meeting Tara would inform him about the nature of Zeena’s condition if he needed to know for the review.

‘And the dentist and optician?’ he now asked, looking from me to Zeena. ‘When did you last have an eyesight test and check up at the dentist?’ With a younger child the foster carer would supply this information, but of course Zeena was of an age when she could do it herself.

‘I saw the dentist about four months ago and I didn’t need any fillings,’ Zeena said.

‘Good,’ said Richard. ‘And the optician? Do you wear glasses?’

‘No,’ Zeena said.

Richard made another note. ‘So you are very healthy,’ he said, and Zeena nodded. ‘Are there any other health concerns?’ he now asked Tara and me.

‘No,’ I said, and Tara shook her head.

‘Thank you,’ Richard said. Then he looked at Zeena and smiled. ‘Perhaps you’d like to tell us what it’s like for you living at Cathy’s. It must be very different from life at your home.’ Richard’s manner was quietly confident and reassuring, typical of many reviewing officers I’d worked with.

Zeena met his gaze. ‘Cathy’s house is very different to mine,’ she said softly. ‘But I like it there, and I feel safe with Cathy.’

‘Good,’ Richard said. ‘Can you say a little about why you like it and feel safe there?’

‘I have my own room,’ she began, in the same soft voice. ‘It’s private and everyone has to knock on my bedroom door before they come in. I didn’t have my own room at home, and there was no privacy anywhere in the house, so that’s nice for me. Cathy cooks my meals and does my washing. She looks out for me and worries about me. I have to text her to tell her when I’m on the bus or if I’m going to be late home. She never criticizes me or forces me do things I don’t want to do. She seems to understand when I need time alone. I feel she’s on my side and cares for me. That’s it, really.’

I was deeply touched by all the kind comments Zeena had made, and grateful for the positive feedback. As a foster carer I did what I thought was right for the child, but I could never be certain I was getting it right unless I heard it from the child.

‘That sounds very positive,’ Richard said to Zeena as he wrote. Then, sitting slightly back, he asked her: ‘What are you forced to do at home that you don’t want to do?’

I’d picked up on this comment too, and Tara was looking expectantly at Zeena, waiting for her reply.

The long, thoughtful silence before Zeena answered was out of proportion to what she actually said. ‘Cooking and cleaning.’

‘So you have to do a lot of domestic chores at home?’ Richard asked.

‘Yes,’ Zeena said, concentrating on the table.

‘Is there anything else you would like tell this review about living at Cathy’s?’ he asked.

‘It’s nice,’ Zeena said, clearly feeling she had to say something but wasn’t sure what.

‘Do you need anything to improve your stay at Cathy’s?’

Zeena shook her head.

‘She would like to see her brothers and sisters,’ I put in on Zeena’s behalf.

‘Thank you,’ Richard said. ‘I’d like to wait and talk about contact in a moment when Tara gives her report.’ I nodded. ‘Are you receiving your allowance from Cathy each week?’ he now asked Zeena.

‘Yes, thank you,’ Zeena said.

‘Do you need anything to practise your religion?’

‘No,’ Zeena said.

‘And you’re happy at school?’

‘Yes,’ Zeena replied.

‘Excellent.’ Richard finished writing and then turned to Tara. ‘Would you like to give your report now?’

Tara had some papers in front of her, but she didn’t refer to them as she spoke. She began by outlining the circumstances in which Zeena had come into care – that she’d asked to be taken into foster care because she said she was being abused. Tara added that Zeena had specifically asked for a white carer because she said she’d feel safer. ‘You’re aware of the security concerns surrounding Zeena’s placement?’ Tara said to Richard.

‘Yes,’ Richard said. ‘I assume her family haven’t found out the address of where she’s staying.’

‘Not as far as we know,’ Tara replied.

Richard made more notes as Tara continued with her report. She said that DI Norma Jones was the child protection police officer involved in Zeena’s case and had met with Zeena a number of times, although Zeena hadn’t made a statement. She said that at present there was insufficient evidence to mount a prosecution. She also said that although there was no official contact between Zeena and her family, her father had been to the school and had also telephoned Zeena and threatened her. She said Norma had spoken to both of Zeena’s parents and an uncle. Then she said she’d been trying to set up some contact for Zeena to see her siblings, but her parents were still refusing. ‘Zeena has seen her siblings at their school though,’ she added.