Thirteen Letters. Chapter Thirteen.

I was offered counselling by independent counsellors, but I turned them down, as I was OK now. Life had turned out good for me or so I thought. Some of the general public wouldn’t let it go, and some people wanted to have the so-called purpose-built house checked out, the main one was near the city.

An independent Inspector was chosen, by the people and he would spend one month in the house, with the family of four.

Mr Smith stayed with us for one month and he also met the Staff, this is his findings in his own words.

Where do I start! This is a beautiful purpose-built house indeed. I didn’t know what to expect, I was shown where I would be sleeping, the beautiful guest room, and when I came out, I had the run of the whole house and gardens. I met the Staff, they are certainly passionate about working there, I don’t think they see it as work, they work well together as a team, and everything is very well run and organized, they choose their times and days to work, and everything runs smoothly.

There is a games room for Paul and Silas indoors and outside in the gardens. There are slides, swings, and a heated swimming pool that can be covered and uncovered depending on the weather. There is a small cinema room that seats ten people and a beautiful spa pamper room, where Claire does her magic. There is a quirky hair salon, which has two tiny chairs for Paul and Silas and sinks to have their hair washed while leaning back from their little pink and blue chairs.

There is SO Much attention to detail in the whole house and gardens, everything seemed to have been thought of and the designers went to town! Its comfortable, the atmosphere is, well it’s something money can’t buy, for I have been in many rich houses that are just that houses, with bad feelings in the air and ‘cold,’ but this was not so, there.

My favourite part of the house was the kitchen, there is a personal chef for Paul and one for Lisa, there is also a Kids Chef.

I had a private chat with him, and he said, “They have a bit of vegetables and fruit every day whether they know it or not, the knowing bit is the carrots they can see, if you get my drift.” He went on, “All the meals a beautifully prepared and presented, everyday for at least one meal the twins help me prepare their food, so they are learning at the same time, from the moment they pick the herbs, and vegetables from the garden, and collect the eggs from the chickens and this includes cleaning out the chicken coop, and letting them out into their section to roam and enjoy the sun, it is all hands on.”

He went on, “They also learn about life and death, and they see new birth.” I was really impressed, by it all, the twins knew so much and they went to farms and zoos too I went with them to a farm and a zoo. Paul and Silas, they are not on their game consoles and other things none stop, it all closely monitored, they are almost too busy for them, but like all children, they love their games.

I noticed in the hall downstairs, on the left, a large chalk black board, as I got closer and looked, I saw that it was a board of just craft events. I asked about it and was told, “Each month a crafts person comes in from 0930am to 530pm and does crafts with the children.” I made a note of the crafts that they had already done and it was these:-

Basket Weaving

Sewing

Wood Carving

Knitting

Painting

Batik

Screen Printing

Tie & Dye

Pottery

Calligraphy

Jewellery Making

Origami

Underneath, they were in the process of making a new list and suggestions were added, it was all so fascinating, I added my suggestion to the list.

I really enjoyed my time in the home, and I am satisfied that all is well, for the parents, children, animals and Staff.

From Adrian Smith. Children Looked After & Safeguarding Reviews (CLAS)