Oli and Sienna’s Story: Safety, Nurture and New Beginnings

When siblings Oli and baby Sienna arrived in an emergency late one evening, Ian and Dave had only hours to prepare. What followed was a story of quick action, gentle care and the steady routines that help children begin to feel safe.

Oli and baby Sienna arrived at 7pm on a Thursday evening. The placement was urgent. It was not safe for them to remain at home that night, so Ian and Dave had to respond quickly. In a matter of hours, they prepared a bedroom, bought nappies and borrowed a cot and pushchair because they had not expected to be caring for a baby as well as an older child.

From the start, it was clear that both children needed safety and sensitive care. Oli was nearly five and could only say a few words. Social workers explained that he had experienced frightening things at home, including shouting and violence. They also shared concerns about Sienna, who had often been left sitting silently in her pram, facing the wall, and had learned not to cry or draw attention to herself.

Despite the urgency of the situation, the children were welcomed into family life straight away. Ian and Dave’s own children were excited by the late-night arrivals and brought down toys to help them settle. Snacks were found, a bottle was prepared for Sienna, and the house quickly adjusted around them. Sienna watched everything carefully, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, while Oli began to play. Ian and Dave worked as a team from the beginning, one focusing on Sienna while the other helped Oli feel secure and managed the boundaries he needed around sharing and play.

It did not take long for routines to begin making a difference. When Ian went to work and the other children were at school, Dave took Sienna to baby groups, where she quickly began to explore the world around her and soon learned to crawl. Oli loved books and dressing up, often layering different jumpers and clothes one on top of another as he played. He was eager to copy the older children and wanted to do everything they did, from playing football to walking to school. Every day brought opportunities to build his confidence and develop his communication, with the family listening carefully to his words and helping him practise new ones.

Oli has learning needs, and extra support is in place for him at school. At home, he is becoming more confident every day. His excitement about starting school, joining in with family routines and taking part in ordinary childhood experiences says a great deal about how far he has already come in a short space of time.

Because Oli and Sienna arrived in an emergency and for safety reasons, the long-term plan for their future is not yet known. What is clear for now is the difference that immediate, nurturing foster care can make. In Ian and Dave’s busy household, both children are being given the chance to feel safe, experience family life and begin to thrive. At the moment, there are four happy children in the home, all doing well, and that sense of safety and belonging is what matters most.