Archive of Our Own

Hi Michael and Jack

I hope you are both well! In regard to the discussion we had last time we both met, I thought I could send over the information about the new referral I mentioned to you both in order to be as upfront as possible in this whole process. I think in a case like this it would be best to have the whole picture before you make a decision either way.

Frank Langdon is a fifteen-year-old boy, currently in a short-term group placement at Millfield. He's been in care for the last 6 months following emergency removal of parental rights from the family. His father is being prosecuted currenlty, so Frank would be coming to you as part of an on-going trial. The details are attached in his file however the short version is that Frank had sustained a seious spinal injury around 10 months ago as a result of phsical abuse that went undisclosed for some time. He spent around four months in hospital before being released into the care system. In that time he had ongoing access to prescritopn pain medication which he was left to manage alone without adult supervision. We're still working out the full extent of the situation here as the home he's in currenlty hasn't done a review of his case yet or built a plan for moving foreward.

He's not the easiest of referals, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. His last key worker described him as guarded, confrontational, and resistant to support. I have a feeling he just needs some patience and stability to get him back on the right track. From what I have seen of him so far he's a very bright kid, emotionally intelligent, and he's sharp.

I'm bringing this placement to you two specifically because both of you have medical backgrouns and I think the relationship you two have between you is the type of stability that someone like Frank needs. I understand if you might want some time to think about this as he will be a longer term and more complex placement than the kids you've had in the past, but I do think your home could be what Frank actually needs instead of another standard residential setting.

There is no pressure to say yes here and I mean that genuinely, I know this is a lot for the two of you to discuss but I wanted to ask before I went anywhere else.

As always you have my details for any questions. Would there be a time we can arrange to speak about this more in depth if you are intersted this week?

Thanks

Dana