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Redacted Files
Anchor here! Coming with another informative information overload.
You might be wondering what redacted files are. I'm here to explain! According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary redacted can be defined as "edited especially in order to obscure or remove sensitive information". This means redacted files have been edited to remove sensitive information.
So how are files redacted? A member of staff who has access to your files will spend time redacting them. This will look like big black thick lines that almost look as if they've taken a big black marker and scored over anything you aren't supposed to see. Here's an example of what a redacted file may look like.
So you may be wondering why are files redacted? There's numerous reasons for this. Partly it is to anonymise people mentioned who may not want to be named. For example my school files are heavily redacted and teachers names have been redacted. It may feel stupid especially if you can work out who the person is, but ultimately just because you know who that person is, doesn't mean you can prove it if you went to court for whatever reason. It all comes down to data protection. Another IMPORTANT reason is they can redact sensitive information which may actually cause you harm. For example if you were abused as a baby or young infant, they could redact specific details to prevent you from further trauma. They can also redact information that isn't relevant to you, for example an email sent regarding multiple pupils, they would redact everything that wasn't related to you specifically.
Why is it important to talk about redactions? Well redactions are a major part of social work files, CAMHS files and school files. Care experienced people who access their files will much more often than not have redacted files. It's important to talk about redactions because seeing large chunks of your life blocked out can be distressing. You might spend a lot of time trying to work out what's underneath these redactions when it's physically impossible to do so.
I have attached some of my redacted files so you can see how severe the redactions can be. The coloured redactions are ones I've done as you don't need the details but it shows you how much information could be redacted. It's important to prepare for these redactions.
You can see how some information may be totally redacted compared to how some may have snippets of information but large chunks are redacted so it's hard to get the full context. Naturally your head may start to try and fill in these blanks, something which can be mentally exhausting and stressful.
It's important to separate yourself from your files. Take time for yourself and request someone to go through them with you. It's hard, it's gruelling and it effects everyone differently.
I hope this has been informative! If anyone has any question, leave them below!
You might be wondering what redacted files are. I'm here to explain! According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary redacted can be defined as "edited especially in order to obscure or remove sensitive information". This means redacted files have been edited to remove sensitive information.
So how are files redacted? A member of staff who has access to your files will spend time redacting them. This will look like big black thick lines that almost look as if they've taken a big black marker and scored over anything you aren't supposed to see. Here's an example of what a redacted file may look like.
So you may be wondering why are files redacted? There's numerous reasons for this. Partly it is to anonymise people mentioned who may not want to be named. For example my school files are heavily redacted and teachers names have been redacted. It may feel stupid especially if you can work out who the person is, but ultimately just because you know who that person is, doesn't mean you can prove it if you went to court for whatever reason. It all comes down to data protection. Another IMPORTANT reason is they can redact sensitive information which may actually cause you harm. For example if you were abused as a baby or young infant, they could redact specific details to prevent you from further trauma. They can also redact information that isn't relevant to you, for example an email sent regarding multiple pupils, they would redact everything that wasn't related to you specifically.
Why is it important to talk about redactions? Well redactions are a major part of social work files, CAMHS files and school files. Care experienced people who access their files will much more often than not have redacted files. It's important to talk about redactions because seeing large chunks of your life blocked out can be distressing. You might spend a lot of time trying to work out what's underneath these redactions when it's physically impossible to do so.
I have attached some of my redacted files so you can see how severe the redactions can be. The coloured redactions are ones I've done as you don't need the details but it shows you how much information could be redacted. It's important to prepare for these redactions.
You can see how some information may be totally redacted compared to how some may have snippets of information but large chunks are redacted so it's hard to get the full context. Naturally your head may start to try and fill in these blanks, something which can be mentally exhausting and stressful.
It's important to separate yourself from your files. Take time for yourself and request someone to go through them with you. It's hard, it's gruelling and it effects everyone differently.
I hope this has been informative! If anyone has any question, leave them below!
Re: What's your political leaning?
I find there's usually a difference between one's ideology and the politicians they support.It's funny though because I despise the Tories and I personally vote SNP.
Interesting.
This is why I don't like politics
Thanks guys - super interesting. I like that you all mentioned economics, and it's worth highlighting that your social and economic alignment can be different. For example, you can be socially liberal but fiscally more conservative. Wish there was an easy way to capture that in a poll!
JustV
2
Re: What's your political leaning?
Seemingly I'm centre right. I think people that work for their money have earned it, so why should they be taxed heavier to "even" the playing field, when some people literally choose to cheat the benefits system to be lazy.
It's funny though because I despise the Tories and I personally vote SNP.
Interesting.
This is why I don't like politics
It's funny though because I despise the Tories and I personally vote SNP.
Interesting.
This is why I don't like politics
Re: What's your political leaning?
@Mike This is a really interesting thread, thanks so much!
I'm similar to @AislingDM between far left and centre left. I don't know enough about certain areas to be completely in one lane
I'm similar to @AislingDM between far left and centre left. I don't know enough about certain areas to be completely in one lane
Re: What's your political leaning?
Love this thread, think it's really cool to see the balance on here I'd say somewhere between centre and far left (but closer to far left), just because I would never purport to be an expert on the specifics of economic stuff!
I'd say somewhere between centre and far left (but closer to far left), just because I would never purport to be an expert on the specifics of economic stuff! 
Re: Care Experienced - Ask Me Anything
Thank you for bumping this and for being so super open with us, I am beyond grateful to learn from you right now 
I know you mentioned not being able to speak for all CE young people, but I am wondering if you have any insight on whether other adults in your life could have identified that you needed support sooner? like what do you think we should be looking out for to best support children, teens and young adults? (more than okay if you don't want to answer this tho!!) xx
I know you mentioned not being able to speak for all CE young people, but I am wondering if you have any insight on whether other adults in your life could have identified that you needed support sooner? like what do you think we should be looking out for to best support children, teens and young adults? (more than okay if you don't want to answer this tho!!) xxThe Need and Want Dilemma
Addiction is linked to a lot of mental health diagnosis. It has been said the opposite of addiction is connection; to the community, to loved ones and to your evorinment. By rebuilding lost connections we can often feel the need for drink and drugs do not become so prominent in our lives.
With that said, here is nothing wrong with having a drink, it's a social thing, it's a special event thing and it's a raising a toast kind of thing.
We can feel like we want a drink. We can want to have a nice night out with friends, a fancy bit of wine over dinner.
Its normalised.
But when it turns into I need to drink to get through the day, I need a drink to leave the house, I need a drink so I can do this thing or feel this feeling.
It is no longer relaxed and an extra to your day. It becomes your day, your reason. Your life line.
So you may be at this place and you may be feeling that you no longer want to be reliant on this liquid in order to go about your day. But you may think by giving up, you give up those events, the nights out, the dinner parties. The social life.
Here I would say, have you spoken to your social group? Have you reached out and said I want your company but I cannot indulge in this when drink is involved as I am struggling with it. Can we sort a night out where we don't?
It is hard when your circles are so tightly wound to one thing. But friends should be more than that, they should want to spend time with you regardless. And if they don't, they were not worth having around as they were not there for your company but for the drink. And why would you want to be "friends" with them, if that was the case?
But most of the time, if they are your friends, for a reason - them. Just like they are friends with you for who you are.
So if you are struggling with drinking, do not think you will loose your social life. It simply means your social life needs to adapt so that you are kept safe and limiting the risks.
Friends should want your company, it doesn't matter if drink is involved or not. They are there for you. You matter. Do not be afraid to be honest, do not be embrassed because you are human.
Reach out to the people around you and more importantly keep yourself safe.
You matter.
Feel free to reach out if you want to talk about the ups and downs of life. More than happy to have a conversation about what's on your mind. I am not here to judge, we are only human afterall.
With that said, here is nothing wrong with having a drink, it's a social thing, it's a special event thing and it's a raising a toast kind of thing.
We can feel like we want a drink. We can want to have a nice night out with friends, a fancy bit of wine over dinner.
Its normalised.
But when it turns into I need to drink to get through the day, I need a drink to leave the house, I need a drink so I can do this thing or feel this feeling.
It is no longer relaxed and an extra to your day. It becomes your day, your reason. Your life line.
So you may be at this place and you may be feeling that you no longer want to be reliant on this liquid in order to go about your day. But you may think by giving up, you give up those events, the nights out, the dinner parties. The social life.
Here I would say, have you spoken to your social group? Have you reached out and said I want your company but I cannot indulge in this when drink is involved as I am struggling with it. Can we sort a night out where we don't?
It is hard when your circles are so tightly wound to one thing. But friends should be more than that, they should want to spend time with you regardless. And if they don't, they were not worth having around as they were not there for your company but for the drink. And why would you want to be "friends" with them, if that was the case?
But most of the time, if they are your friends, for a reason - them. Just like they are friends with you for who you are.
So if you are struggling with drinking, do not think you will loose your social life. It simply means your social life needs to adapt so that you are kept safe and limiting the risks.
Friends should want your company, it doesn't matter if drink is involved or not. They are there for you. You matter. Do not be afraid to be honest, do not be embrassed because you are human.
Reach out to the people around you and more importantly keep yourself safe.
You matter.
Feel free to reach out if you want to talk about the ups and downs of life. More than happy to have a conversation about what's on your mind. I am not here to judge, we are only human afterall.
