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Check FAQAbout Rebekah
London-based author and NCTJ qualified journalist with words in Newsweek, Metro UK, Huffington Post UK, Media Diversity Institute, Left Foot Forward & more. My book on children's mental health and wellbeing, published with Routledge, is sold worldwide. As a former social worker, my expert industry knowledge covering domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, county lines, mental health, substance misuse and more, sets me as uniquely qualified to discuss social injustice, policy and legislation. An established authority in the field, I have featured as an expert voice on BBC Television, BBC Radio, as well as in print and online in numerous media outlets. Through my role as Professional Officer at the British Association of Social Workers, I routinely edit books, write press statements, develop national guidance and design and host webinars to hundreds of participants on these topics. Available for media enquiries, features, columns, investigations, book editing, podcasts, research and copywriting. Able to write and speak Spanish to an advanced level.
Journalism
Portfolio
Free Loaves on Fridays: The Care System As Told By People Who Actually Get It
An anthology of stories, poems, reflections, and letters by nearly one hundred people who have experienced the care system first-hand, aiming to challenge stereotypes and redirect the dialogue around foster care, adoption, kinship care, and semi-independent living.
You can’t raise children on the cheap, so why is this government set on doing so?
The article criticizes the UK government's response to the review of children's social care, highlighting the inadequacy of the proposed £200m investment compared to the £2.6bn recommended. It argues that the government's strategy will leave services underfunded and questions the allocation of funds to only 12 out of 333 local authorities. The text underscores the need for substantial investment in social care services and condemns the government's failure to regulate unregulated settings for children aged 16 and 17, citing the deaths of 34 children in such accommodations over the past six years.
‘Sharenting’ your child’s struggles online is abuse
The article discusses the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding 'sharenting,' the practice of parents sharing their children's lives on social media. It highlights the potential emotional and physical risks to children, including identity fraud, exploitation, and the erosion of privacy. The piece calls for greater parental responsibility in online data sharing, emphasizing the long-term consequences for children who grow up with a digital footprint created without their consent.
Winners of the inaugural BASW Social Work Journalism Awards 2023
The inaugural BASW Social Work Journalism Awards celebrated outstanding journalism in social work, recognizing creative and informed reporting. The awards, part of a campaign by BASW and the Social Workers Union, honored journalists across six categories. Winners included Lucy Kapasi for her piece on ITV Central, Terri White and Ben Robinson for their work on Radio 5 Live and Radio 4, and Jessica Hill for her investigation in the Local Government Chronicle. Special awards were given to Alison Holt of the BBC and the awards aim to encourage more understanding and positive reporting on social work.
You can’t raise children on the cheap, so why is this government set on doing so?
The article criticizes the UK government's response to the review of children's social care, highlighting the insufficient £200m investment compared to the recommended £2.6bn. The author, a care leaver and social worker, argues that the underfunding will perpetuate systemic flaws and fears of service collapse. While acknowledging some positive steps, the article condemns the government's overall approach as inadequate and potentially destructive, questioning the prioritization of children in care. The piece also criticizes the lack of regulation in unregulated settings and the government's failure to ban such accommodations for children aged 16 and 17.
England’s care system is failing children. This new overhaul is based on a middle-class fantasy
The landmark review of children’s social care in England, led by Josh MacAlister, has been criticized for its unrealistic recommendations and lack of government investment. The review aims to improve life expectancy and university entry rates for children in care but faces skepticism regarding its independence and effectiveness. The proposed reliance on community support is seen as impractical and a neglect of government responsibility. The article highlights the need for proper funding and protection of children's rights, criticizing the current system's failures and the potential negative impact of the review's recommendations.
I was placed in an adult hostel at 17 – and I can tell you, the British state is an appalling parent
Rebekah Pierre recounts her harrowing experience as a child in care placed in an adult hostel, highlighting the British state's failure to provide adequate care for children in the system. She discusses the plight of over 6,400 unprotected 16- to 17-year-olds in England and the judicial review initiated by Article 39 against the Department for Education's discriminatory legislation. Pierre criticizes the government's proposed standards for 'supported accommodation' as insufficient and shares her own traumatic experiences to illustrate the impact on children's wellbeing. The article also mentions the death of 17-year-old Caitlin Sharp and the risks faced by teenagers in care, emphasizing the need for loving care over mere 'welfare and maintenance'.
Making the case for care until 18
Rebekah Pierre, a member of the #KeepCaringto18 campaign, shares her personal experiences of feeling unseen and unheard in care-less settings. She discusses the increase in the use of such settings and the risks they pose to children, including exploitation and mental health issues. Pierre highlights the importance of the campaign and expresses gratitude to supporters for caring about marginalized children. The campaign has petitioned at 10 Downing Street, seeking to improve conditions for children in care.
The Tories Are Abandoning Migrant Women to Domestic Abuse
Zahrah, a migrant woman in the UK, suffered domestic abuse and economic control by her husband. After escaping, she faced the challenge of having no recourse to public funds due to immigration control rules. The article criticizes the Conservative Party's Domestic Abuse Act and Nationality and Borders bill for failing to protect migrant women like Zahrah. Women's Aid and Southall Black Sisters highlight the vulnerabilities of migrant women to abusive partners and the lack of support. The article calls for the abolition of the no recourse to public funds policy and criticizes the government's lukewarm response to recommendations for protecting migrant women.
Left living in filth and fear – the care system’s forgotten children
The article highlights the plight of children in the UK care system who are placed in 'unregulated placements,' which lack the oversight and support provided in regulated foster homes. These accommodations can be as varied as caravans or bedsits, and often leave vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds at risk. The piece includes personal accounts from care leavers like Yusuf and Rowan Foster, who describe living in dangerous and neglectful conditions. Despite recent legislation changes, campaigners and organizations like the Together Trust and SafeLives criticize the government for not doing enough to protect these children. The article underscores the systemic issues leading to an overreliance on such placements due to inadequate local authority budgets and a lack of suitable alternatives.
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