Dev’s story

I was fine all through primary school, where I had friends and really nice teachers. When I got to secondary school it all kicked off. The school was huge and I felt overwhelmed and the teachers hated me. I stuck it for a year and then I decided if I didn’t get out my head would explode. I started cutting school and just hanging round shops and parks with some other people my age. Then my mum and dad found out and started on my case about going to school. My dad would make me get in the car and deliver me to the school gate, but I just walked on to the field and got out again. But now home was horrible. I got asked about school all the time, and then yelled at when I lied about where I’d been. My mum and dad said they understood, but they didn’t.

So I decided to just leave. I went and stayed with friends. I couldn’t go home because my parents would make me go back to school, so I slept on floors and sofas. I felt angry that no one was listening to me, but also scared and ashamed. Eventually I got worried that someone would tell the school or my parents where I was, so I went and slept rough for a few days. It was horrible. I felt lonely and frightened and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I really missed my parents and I wanted to go home, but I didn’t dare.

Eventually I got picked up by the police and taken home. My parents were so relieved to see me. They talked to the school. I’m hoping things might get better, but I’m not sure.