MISSING

Tasked with the job of getting in contact with a boy who was due to start at my school seemed simple? Well not so.

After several attempts to contact the house, several visits, and no luck, I discovered that in fact the boy was missing. What a can of worms. When I finally made contact, (months later) he gave me no explanation as to where he had been, why, and the circumstances surrounding his return. Hold no grudges, every day is a new day, we began the school journey.

Frankie was a lovely boy, only 13 years old, and had attended school for only a handful of days in the past few years. Feral would almost describe him. He had completely forgotten the social rules, how to talk to people, how to make friends, or for that matter, have a conversation. It is only when you get to know the background that you discover that getting a child through the school gate, through lessons and out again with minimum drama is actually a momentous occasion.

Frankie came from a troubled home. He had several ASBO’s CRASBO’s, you name it. I think he most likely had a criminal record too. His mother tried her best, however Frankie always had other ideas and the two hardly ever saw eye to eye. Compromise was NOT in the language in this household.

Frankie didn’t much enjoy spending time at home. He was always the one to blame if things went missing, got broke, so he spent most of his time elsewhere. Perhaps that was the problem. I very quickly discovered all sorts of things that explained his behaviour in school. He was often locked out of the house if he didn’t return home at the designated time. This could mean being locked out ALL might more often than not. He came up with a solution – broke the bathroom window lock, so that he could ‘break back into his house’ if necessary. Mum discovered this plan, so got the window fixed.

No wonder Frankie was missing when I tried to make that first contact… it makes you wonder doesn’t it? What would you do if you were in his position? I doubt that he had nice mates who were willing to put him up, and I doubt that he spent those nights locked out simply sleeping somewhere.

It seemed that we have some serious work to do, but a special needs teacher NEVER gives up……

Anon

I received a file, confidential. No name, no previous school, just a scrawled note with a number. Not knowing what I was calling, I dialled it. A homeless women’s shelter. I didn’t quite know what to say to the lady on the other end.

‘erm, I have just received a file, a new student but I don’t have a name, can you help at all, or do I have the wrong number?’

‘oh, hello, you must be calling about Belinda. You had better tell me where you are and we’ll come round and see you.’

Belinda walked into the room, smiling, cheerful, radiant. She was a tall slim beautiful long blonde haired girl, extremely friendly, yet shy. She sat awkwardly on the chair, facing the corner of the room, periodically looking at the floor. The two things didn’t quite seem to go together. The lady she was with explained that I was not allowed to record anything she was about to say, for Belinda’s safety. The police were involved, and she had a protected identity now. I wasn’t even told her real name.

I could only imagine the horror this poor beautiful smiling girl had endured to be sitting in front of me now. To this day I do not know the extent of story. All that needs to be said is Belinda was a brave young woman who fled to save her own life.

She explained how she thought it was cool that she got to choose her own name, got to see all these new things, meet new people, amazingly positive for someone who had obviously endured much already in her relatively short life.

She found the school placement a struggle. There were so many things that we took for granted. ‘What were playing cards?’ She asked. Why are they staring at me like that? So many questions, so many social rules she didn’t understand.

I lost track of Belinda, after she was moved again, however I understand she now has her own flat, took her GCSE’s and did well, and even has a boyfriend. I understand that is a BIG deal for Belinda.

It’s amazing how someone so young can touch your heart in such a deep way. It was only a fleeting encounter, but I really do hope she is doing well. My gosh, she deserves some luck in her life from what I can gather. I often think about her and wonder how she’s getting on. That’s teaching I guess.