Looked After Children
Our February 2024 book of the month is “Looked After Children: A Childhood in Care”, by inspirational speaker and Presenter Ashley John Baptiste.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The power of BBC journalist and presenter Ashley John-Baptiste’s book lies not only in sharing the harshness of his experience but also in showcasing his extraordinary resilience in the darkest of times. Looked After tells the story of the UK’s care provision from the inside in a visceral way – and acknowledges the importance of the key people who helped him turn his life around.
This is a memoir written from the heart that pulls no punches. Looked After demonstrates that given opportunity and encouragement – and love – a cared-for boy can become a successful man, a loving husband, and a proud father – despite the trauma of his childhood.
Ashley John-Baptiste is an RTS-nominated BBC broadcast journalist and Digital Senior Reporter for BBC News.
Growing up in South London and from the age of 2 being moved between foster families and children’s homes, Ashley’s prospects seemed bleak, with many of his peers becoming homeless, drug addicts, in prison, or worse. However Ashley was a bright student and with the help and encouragement of a key worker at his Care Home, he made good progress at school.
A visit to summer school at Cambridge University changed his life, it was this visit that gave him the insight and ambition to apply for university. Together with support from his local MP, he later battled to win a place at Cambridge to study history and graduate with a 2:1. Whilst he was at Cambridge, Ashley mentored other students who grew up in care.
A keen and talented musician, after graduating from University Ashley was encouraged by his old University friends to take part in ITV’s ‘X Factor’ where he was part of the boy band ‘The Risk’. However Ashley made the brave decision to leave the show, at the live final stage, to follow his dreams and seek a career in media.,
Ashley began his BBC journalism career as a reporter for BBC2’s Victoria Derbyshire programme, with an extremely busy 12 months covering the Grenfell disaster and making original BBC films on issues including interfaith foster care, kids who are bullied for having facial disfigurements, and racism on UK university campuses. He is now a frequent reporter for BBC News, BBC London News, Morning Live, and The One Show and a presenter/host on a variety of BBC programmes including For Love Or Money, which he co-presents with Kym Marsh, a BBC One series investigating online dating fraud.
Ashley relays his fascinating life story to corporates, fostering organisations, and educational establishments. His story, which is both heart-wrenching and incredibly inspiring, is delivered in a humorous and enthusiastic way. He utilises his passion and ambition to motivate others and inspires them to face their challenges head-on.
The book is published in June and copies can be pre-ordered via the Amazon website. More details on Ashley can be found on his webpage.