Cut

When interviewed, Cathy is often asked when and why she began fostering, all those years ago. This is the story of when and why; it is also the true story of Dawn. Dawn was the second child Cathy fostered and nearly became the last. It is set at a time before The Children’s Acts, when there was no training for foster carers, no record keeping, no meetings, no background information on the child, little accountability, and no support. ‘Dump um and run’ seemed to be the philosophy of the social services at the time, and the more disturbed the child was, the faster and quicker the social services ran. Because of all the changes in fostering and social work practice, this story shouldn’t happen now, although doubtless there is a foster carer somewhere who can prove differently.

Book Author

Cathy-glass Cathy has been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time she has looked after more than 50 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Cathy runs training course on fostering for her local social services, and also helps draft new fostering procedures and guidelines. Cathy has always combined fostering with writing, rising very early every morning in order to write, before the day begins with her ever changing family. Prior to the publication of Damaged, her first fostering memoir, she had written short stories, articles, and poems for various national magazines and newspapers.
more about Cathy Glass...

Book Reviews

  • The Bookseller 12th May 2008
    "The story of Dawn...whose outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood of suffering...Damaged has sold more than 228,000 copies and there is no reason to think Cut won't repeat its best-selling performance."
  • OK Magazine
    "Moving and heartfelt ..."
  • Star Magazine
    "... a tearful read"
  • Amazon review
    "Another excellent read by Cathy. Picked it up and didn’t put it down again until I’d finished."
  • Amazon review
    "I read this book in 5 hours!! I love her style of writing and I love the fact it is unbiased and non-judgmental. I was screaming in my head at the inadequacies of Social Services but she just takes it all in her stride and learns from it. She has obviously turned so many young lives around with her positive thinking and the world needs more carers like her."