Twelve Years In Care is a book based on my life through a care system at a time when it wasn't perfect.

set from 1965 to 1977, it tells the true story of what life was like in three children's home and two foster home.

where abuse in many forms was rife, beatings and humiliation, the book also follows the positive side of these places.

Often books of children in those systems highlight the negative parts of care homes, and rightly so.  For many it shaped the way they were brought up,

but for many it has brought resentment of a system that should have protected them.

there were different experiences in different home, and being in three, I saw how different it was.  Not all staff were cruel, my story as well as highlighting the abuses I personally suffered, also highlights the positive parts of the home that shaped the person I am today.

This is not a book to defend the system if that's how its viewed. Sexual abuse was not uncommon in children's homes and although I was almost a victim. There are plenty of evidence available that proves it did exist, I say almost a victim, because one of the homes I attended became notorious for that the same year I left. I still feel anger for that, not because I was spared, but because most of those who endured that abuse, are likely to have been friends of mine featured in my book. For those reasons every name including the staff members who protected me have been changed.

There were plenty of times I had fun, with the many friends I made in these homes, each of them will have their own story to tell, but I wanted my book to tell the story through my eyes, my memories, to give an insight into home life for me, the ups, downs, the embarrassing moment, the funny moments as well as the adventures.

And although there were some very emotional moments, still today almost 50 years on I struggle to show the kind of emotions that most take for granted, I struggle to feel if I was a good parent, because I never experienced it as a child, even though I was able to observe it, I was never a part of it.

I've left the ending open should I choose to go beyond the twelve years, for the moment I'm not ready to reveal the pain beyond the first twelve years.