In her autobiography ‘Eight Weeks’ Baroness Lola Young describes the difficult process she experienced when she applied to access her Islington childhood care records (London. Penguin Books: 2024). Her friend informed her that she could apply for her records. Her friend told her that, whilst working for Islington, a room where old files were stored was flooded by a leaky washing machine in the flat above and files were damaged. This is one council excuse among many that ISN have heard when files could not be found. Baroness Young learnt that the council was legally obliged to provide her with her records.
‘I was stunned. I had never considered there was such a possibility … In the years that followed I would learn that my experience was not uncommon. It was the 1989 Children Act that enshrined the right of anyone who’s spent time in the care system to access their records. A laudable decision, but making sure that everybody affected by the law was aware of their rights was another matter. There are those who still do not know about it…I had to follow the trail. ..I was left with doubts and anxieties.. What if there was something truly disturbing in those notes – something I’ve forgotten about? Or have never known?’ (p9 and p 11).
Baroness Young describes interminable delays throughout the process and her feelings and queries as she slowly read through the pages of the file.
When ISN first assisted survivors in accessing their files, we realised that the method of arranging collection on the site of a former children’s home, at Elwood Street, was distressing and insensitive. Instead we arranged for ISN to collect the files which were sent to 222 Upper Street. This is no longer possible as, since March 2026, the council has withdrawn funding for the team that assisted us in this. However, no survivor should be forced to collect the files at Elwood Street social work office and you can ask to collect it somewhere else.
Since 2016, ISN and Islington Council agreed a procedure for Islington Survivors to access their childhood care records in a way which was supportive and respectful of survivor’s wishes. Working in co-production, ISN and the council created a sensitive and caring process. (Co-production means working together in partnership to design, deliver and review services). Since the funding for Islington Survivors services was stopped in March 2026, this co-production has stopped and we have no council staff to liaise with.
“They are not files. Papers to be just handed over. They are our life stories – we have spent a lot of time trying to forget what happened – it’s a really big step to get the file and takes massive courage to read it. Most of us don’t read it – ISN give us the timeline and talk us through it which makes it bearable and helps us to talk about what really happened.” (ISN survivor)
How to get your file
ISN can still help you to get your childhood care records. The requirements the council need can be complicated. Also, not everyone has all the ID needed by the council or has access to a computer.
Islington Survivors who wish to be represented by ISN in getting their files can download the amended council Subject Access Request form here .
Contact ISN if you would like help to download or complete the form.
This form says that you want ISN to represent you because we recognise that getting hold of your files is not an easy thing to do.
When you contact ISN the file process will be explained to you.
What happens when ISN has applied for my file?
The Access to Records council staff locate the file and then, to comply with Data Protection law, they must remove information which relates to ‘third parties.’ So if you were with a friend in care and they are named in the records – the friends name would be redacted (obscured). This is because the person named in your file has not given permission for you to read their information.
If you were in care with your brothers or sisters and wish to apply together, then ISN will help you complete a Family Consent Form to provide permission. They will also need to supply proof of identity.
How do I collect my file?
When the file is ready to collect you need to feel very comfortable with the arrangements.
We advise against the council posting them to you as this can be distressing and difficult to manage especially if you live alone.
The council may offer to send the files online but this is not easy because, even if you have a computer, it is very difficult to read and costs a lot to print them out. The file belongs to you so you should be able to collect a copy and bring it to us and we can go through them together. (If you would find that helpful). We can also advise you of any options you may have – such as for a claim against the council. The council now contracts out the copying of files and we get them in all kinds of unhelpful formats.
Once collected by ISN what happens?
Much of the file may be missing and some content may be redacted (obscured). Sometimes no file can be found. Sometimes whole chunks of a file are missing relating to a particular children’s home or foster placement. Sometimes the daily records kept by residential staff are included with the file but most often they are missing. We ask for searches to look for these as they are important records to have.
If there are copies of important original documents on file then ISN ask that you are given the original not a copy. For example photographs, a passport, sports certificate, a letter etc.
Timelines
The files are often disordered and confusing. They are organised by the council into separate folders which are not in date order.
ISN can explain what records are expected to be on a file so that you can consider how complete it is. Sometimes, Liz Davies completed timelines for survivors from the files. This put everything that is on the file into a basic chart in date order and the survivor could then add comments. There are separate columns for where you were living, social workers names, residential staff names, other children’s names, what the record says and your own comments.
| date | source | address | LA social workers | Other staff | Children | Event | Survivor account |
Survivors use the timelines for quick checks on facts – dates, places, other children’s or staff names etc. This can help if and when you have a meeting with lawyers, police or therapists but mainly they are for you – you can add to them quite easily and dip in and out of them as you want. In later years, when so many survivors came forward to ISN, we were not able to complete as many timelines.
What might I read on my file?
The files often have all kinds of comments about children on them. There are records made by staff who were genuine but also by some who were abusers. You are the only person who really knows what went on and this is often very different from what is written on your file.
However, the records can add weight to your account by proving that you were in a particular place at a particular time even if the record of what went on there is not accurate. In the years from the 60s to the 90s – children were hardly ever included in meetings and rarely consulted about their views. There are very few records that show that a child’s views were heard or that anyone ever even asked for them. Children were often silenced when interviewed in the presence of foster carers and residential staff.
Survivors tell ISN that as children they were threatened by abusers that if they spoke out they would be sent to secure units or punished by being denied visits to their families or holiday outings. There are often two completely different versions of events – the survivor’s and that which is written in the records.
What if I was in care to other authorities?
For records that predate 1966 which is when the London Borough of Islington was established, the London Archive helps us to find any records that exist. Every Local Authority has information online about how to make a Subject Access Request for a childhood care file.
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What if I want to apply for my files myself and not go through ISN or the Support Service?
If you want to access your childhood care records independently of ISN then the information on how to do this is on the Islington Council website. The form you will need is available from the council website.
Of course you can always Contact ISN if and when you have received your file and you want to ask questions about it.
Islington Survivors Network 