Finding Stevie: A teenager in crisis. Cathy Glass

Of course I would help Stevie too, if he asked. He remained in his room for the whole afternoon and only came down for dinner when Adrian, Lucy and Paula were back. There was no trace of make-up and he was still subdued. I asked him if he was OK and he said he was, but he didn’t join in any of our conversation at all.

      Sunday was bitterly cold, but having not been out the day before I felt in need of a breath of fresh air. I asked if anyone would like to join me for a walk, but there weren’t any takers, so I went alone. I wouldn’t have left a teenager alone in the house when they’d only recently arrived, but Adrian, Paula and Lucy were in. Paula and Lucy were my nominated carers. Foster carers can nominate family members or close friends to help out and babysit when necessary. They are assessed by the carer’s supervising social worker for suitability, and sometimes police checked (now called a DBS check – Disclosure and Barring Service). Lucy had qualifications in childcare, experience of being fostered and of course lived with the looked-after child, so knew them well. I would never have them solely responsible for a lad of fourteen in case he kicked off, but with Adrian there too I felt comfortable going for a short walk. I was home again in under half an hour.

      Adrian went out shortly after I returned and was spending the rest of the day with Kirsty. After lunch, Lucy, Paula and I were in the living room, reading: Paula on her laptop for college, Lucy a true story on her Kindle and I was reading a paperback thriller. I asked Stevie if he would join us, but he said he hadn’t finished his homework yet. He finally joined us for dinner and then in the evening came to watch a television programme, but only for fifteen minutes and was very quiet. After he’d left the room Lucy said exactly what I’d been thinking: ‘What’s the matter with him?’