It is a “military operation” for Paul Smith, 24, to get his six siblings up, washed, dressed, fed and out of the house on time for school each morning. He took on the role of looking after his brothers and sisters, aged between 6 and 16, two years ago after their mother was arrested for child neglect. She later vanished.
Smith was living away from home by then, but it was either move back and take charge or see his brothers and sisters split up and looked after by foster parents and care homes.
He made the arrangement a legal one and he is now “special guardian” to his siblings. Nine out of ten family or kinship carers do not do this.
“We are much better off as a result — by about £100 per child a week. I would really urge anyone in this situation to do it.”