Hi my name is Chantel, and I’m the aunt of two wonderful boys 12 years old & 7 year old I’ve had them in my care for the past 1 year and a half until social services recommended for them to be removed from my family home. Reason being (house overcrowded) and they felt in the future I wouldn’t be able to meet both their needs due to me having 5 children of my own. I have never been known to social services all my 5 children are well and healthy including my nephews at the time they was under my care. They’ve been really happy whilst living with us and have come a long way including in school going by their reports.

They’ve currently been removed from our home and placed into foster care. Without any concerns of their safety or health I strongly believe this is the worst possible decision as I’m the only person and my mother they’ve known since birth. I done everything in my power to keep us all together as a unit. Since my little sister has had some life changing circumstances, which has unfortunately led us where we’re at today. My nephews don’t only have me and my mother for support they also have other lose direct family members ie Uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents.

Im honestly concerned for my older nephew mental state as i can hear how he expresses his emotions to me nearly everyday NO 12 year old boy should ever be thinking of ending their life. He’s really finding it all too difficult adapting especially in a different borough, around people they’ve never been in presence of or ever encountered before.

Rico has always been quiet until he came to live with me. He really came out of his shell becoming more talkative and not asking about he’s mother as much within just a month of being with us. Since going into foster care with his older brother, he has now gone back to being quite and not really expressing how he feels which is so sad to hear as I tried my upmost best battling with their anxiety and angry emotions at the very start.

Both schools also provided really good reports on my nephews well being while in my care, Why would social services want to remove 2 young intelligent boys and punish them for the mistakes their mum has done. My nephews are really struggling while being in foster care they just want to come home to me.

However, navigating the legal process to gain custody requires hiring a solicitor, which I cannot afford on my own. Social services have been completely unsupportive to myself and my family

I am seeking to raise [10,000] to cover legal fees associated with hiring a solicitor and also fostering course who can help us through this process. I have also had legal aid and lost in court after losing against the judge I’m having difficulty trying to find another solicitor under legal aid as they don’t want to go against the judge I have been advised to go down the paying option that the only way I will get them back .I’ve always been in my nephews lives they do not know anyone else they came to live with myself and my children for a whole year I am committed to providing them with a loving home where they will be safe and in their comfort zone with their family . I have already begun preparing our home for their arrival and have been in contact with local support services.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in helping us bring these boys back to where they belong