Hi there
Thanks for sending in your letter. You have said that your mum has been hurting you for ages, and even hits your head sometimes. It was really brave of you to tell your dad and I imagine it was tough for you when he didn’t listen. It seems like you are starting to think about telling somebody now, but you are worried that your brother will go into care if you do even though your mum doesn’t hurt him.
Firstly, it is not ok that your mum is hurting you, especially because you say she has hit you on the head. Nobody deserves to be treated like that and you have the right to feel safe at home. Social services work to make sure children and young people feel safe at home and you can contact them or speak to an adult you trust if you feel that you aren’t safe.
You ask if your brother would go into care if you do tell somebody. Lots of young people think that if they contact social services they will be put into care. Social services don’t always put children and young people into care but often decide to work with the family in the home. It is important that you are aware that if you did decide to contact social services they would look into what is happening at home and they would want to talk to each member of your family. They would then make a decision based on what they have seen and talk about it with each of you.
You have been really brave to write me about this and it might be a good idea for you to contact ChildLine to talk to a counsellor. ChildLine will support you with this and talk you through your options. The number is 0800 1111, it’s a free call and it doesn’t appear on phone bill.
Take care
Sam