Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing

'Brilliant . . . I love this book' LEMN SISSAY
'A must-read book' JACQUELINE WILSON
'Extraordinary' OLIVER BULLOUGH
'Everyone should read this book' HILARY COTTAM
'Important' IAN BIRRELL
'Vital' HANNAH JANE PARKINSON

Meet the mother whose children were taken away, and the father who fought for his son. Listen to the radical social worker, the judge, the lawyer. See inside the homes of foster carers, adoptive parents and children in care. Because behind closed doors, a scandal is ongoing.

We now remove more children from their parents than ever before. Children's Care is a system where fathers are ignored, and mothers are punished for experiencing abuse. Rife with prejudices about race, ableism and class, determined by a postcode lottery. Blind to poverty and its effects on family life. And, at its very worst, an exercise in social engineering that can never replace parental love.

From North to South, rich and poor, Black and white, these are the people who know, first-hand, what is going wrong - and how we can fix it.

About the Author
Polly Curtis is an author and journalist dedicated to reporting on social justice. Having worked at Tortoise, HuffPost, the British Red Cross and for sixteen years as Education Editor, Whitehall Correspondent, News Editor and Digital Editor at the Guardian, she was a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford's Reuters Institute and was most recently Managing Director of PA Media. Born in Camden, she still lives there, with her husband and two children.

Reviews
A riveting investigation into how society looks after its greatest and most valuable vulnerable asset: the child. Behind Closed Doors is a page-turner on one hand and a thoughtful meditation on the other: dispassionate, balanced and brave. Curtis goes where most do not and draws surprisingly frank testimony from judges, social workers, parents and children. Every parent, every politician, every social worker should read this brilliant book on our present state. * Lemn Sissay, author of My Name is Why *
A must-read book. It's a brilliant examination of the Care system, with thoughtful suggestions of how it can be improved. Polly Curtis is refreshingly honest, sensitive and never shrill. * Jacqueline Wilson, author of The Story of Tracy Beaker *
This extraordinary book reveals a hidden side of Britain we should all know about. It's sympathetic, and passionate, and an absolute must-read. * Oliver Bullough, author of Moneyland *
We have invisibly re-written the rules of family life creating one of the biggest child removal systems in the world. In this balanced, forensic and compelling book Polly Curtis shows what is happening to the most vulnerable families in Britain, how we are all complicit and what we could do about it. Everyone should read this book. * Hilary Cottam, author of Radical Help *
Gandhi claimed that 'The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members'. This book, by one of Britain's best journalists writing about social justice, provides a damning indictment of just that: a dysfunctional society that is punishing victims instead of investing in the roots of the problem. Anyone interested in the social and economic solutions to the system that is failing children and their families must read this book. * Mariana Mazzucato, UCL Professor, author of Mission Economy *
One of the most important books on British society for many years. It is rigorous, evidence-led and clear-eyed. But it is also immensely readable, thanks to her ability to weave humanity and public policy into a fine narrative. Curtis's book is much more than a study of children, families and social services: it is an MRI scan of society as a whole and its interconnected dysfunctions. In its scope, originality and potential impact, I can only compare it to Richard Hoggart's The Uses of Literacy (1957): it deserves the widest possible readership. * Matt d'Ancona, Tortoise *
An important book that poses profound questions for our society * Ian Birrell, winner of the 2020 Orwell Prize for Investigating Social Evils *
A fascinating and much-needed study into the UK's opaque and Kafkaesque child protection system. Curtis explores the stories beyond sensationalist headlines and gives voice to the children and parents so often reduced to statistics. Whether it is shadowing a judge, explaining the difference between public and private family proceedings, or interviewing politicians, Curtis walks us through every aspect of the care apparatus. Behind Closed Doors is equal parts characterful, narrative drive and impeccably researched guide. Much in this book is shocking and surprising, some is motivating and inspiring: all of it is vital. A book which should be read by anybody who has ever been a child. * Hannah Jane Parkinson *
Unflinching yet compassionate reflection of the UK's care system . . . Essential reading on possibly the most important and overlooked responsibility of the state. -- Eve White * Reaction, 2022 *
Meticulous . . . Curtis excavates the truth -- Yvonne Roberts * Observer *
An impressive balance between empathy and investigation... Curtis doesn't only highlight the problem - of thousands of families being broken up due to institutional fears and failings - but also proposes solutions that are persuasive and practicable -- Books of the Year * Prospect *


Awards
Short-listed for Orwell Prize for Political Writing 2022 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9780349014517
Author Polly Curtis
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Virago Press Ltd
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 260g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 124mm * 24mm