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Bunking Off: Dale's a real wag
July 12, 2005
DALE: Broadoak pupil
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Just like Melanie I felt utter despair after watching this program. I can't believe that Dales mum would let him be homeless and not even bother to find out what happened to him. That child needs help. Just what are the social services doing, who's ever in charge should get of their backsides and do something. I am worried what has happened to Dale. That program must be about 5 to 6 weeks old as the exams are over. If anyone knows what happened to him I would be grateful to hear. I know what's it like, I've brought up 5 children and like Dale some of them have got into trouble but thank fully I dealt with the problems, and in the end it turned out all right, but at the cost of my sanity. This is the most upsetting thing that I have seen for at least 20 years. Watching the program it appears that the States response is legal action against the parents, this does not work, what is needed is profession help for the parents and if they are unable to cope then give the child a mentor. There is no need for these children to fail, the problem is that these children are expected to act like adults when they are just children and need love and care.
Yes I agree with the comments of the other two people who emailled. It was one of the most distressing pieces of TV I have watched. Seeing a young lad who should have an exciting and worthwhile future basically abandoned to fend for himself. His parents should think shame of themselves.
I started watching as I am involved in a project through the SSE Fife (School for Social Entrepreneurs) based in Fife. I am researching the topic of truancy and pupil disaffection - I was also once a teacher until I was bullied out of my post by my line manager.
During my teaching practice I worked worked a lot with a lad like Dale and too a real interest in him. Unfortunately I was only there 6 weeks but he was changing. After I left he was kicked out of school and I heard that he was kicked out of his home. I would drive around to see if I could find him and give him something to eat and drink but never found him. A year later he turned up in my classroom to fix my sink!. I was so pleased he was on the straight and narrow.
How many other young people out there are suffering because adults are writing them off? I think we should ALL think shame of ourselves!.
If anyone would like to contact me my email is : ally_smith3d@yahoo.co.uk
Ally
I started watching as I am involved in a project through the SSE Fife (School for Social Entrepreneurs) based in Fife. I am researching the topic of truancy and pupil disaffection - I was also once a teacher until I was bullied out of my post by my line manager.
During my teaching practice I worked worked a lot with a lad like Dale and too a real interest in him. Unfortunately I was only there 6 weeks but he was changing. After I left he was kicked out of school and I heard that he was kicked out of his home. I would drive around to see if I could find him and give him something to eat and drink but never found him. A year later he turned up in my classroom to fix my sink!. I was so pleased he was on the straight and narrow.
How many other young people out there are suffering because adults are writing them off? I think we should ALL think shame of ourselves!.
If anyone would like to contact me my email is : ally_smith3d@yahoo.co.uk
Ally
may i take this opportunity to thank everybody for there interest in my wellbeing. following recent events i met two people called john and
jo-an who took me in and cared for me as part of there family this gave me a good sense of well being which brought with it confidence enthusiasm and a willingness to turn around my life. i now have regular contact with my mother sister and brothers and now have my own flat i am managing very well and allthough i am unemployed i am actively seeking work this i know will improve my lifestyle i would like to just say thankyou to jo-an john my mother sister and brothers and my good friend elliot
jo-an who took me in and cared for me as part of there family this gave me a good sense of well being which brought with it confidence enthusiasm and a willingness to turn around my life. i now have regular contact with my mother sister and brothers and now have my own flat i am managing very well and allthough i am unemployed i am actively seeking work this i know will improve my lifestyle i would like to just say thankyou to jo-an john my mother sister and brothers and my good friend elliot
I was visiting England when I saw this program and like all the other comments, it broke my heart to see what had become of a young, bright hopeful young male. I vowed to follow the story up when I got back home and am very happy to hear the comments from Dale. It is a shame what happened and I hope that he can continue to find his feet, and finish school. I would like to help Dale financially and if there is a way to send him money, please please let me know. Thanks to kind people like John and Jo, we need more warm hearted people like them in this world, when parents decide that their children are not their responsibility and easily give up on them.
I just want to say to both the Parents and Dale that there are other options, when school is not suitable for a child or teenager, and that is Home Education.
It could well be that Dale is not interested in School, yet he is mature enough to do some self-studying, then proceede to College, which is also a more independent way of learning.
Dale clearly demonstrate an already independent character, therefore a school environment is not for him. He needs to find time to find himself and feel secure within his family environment.
Dale parents will be closely involved in his education because it will be carried out mostly from their kitchen or living room :-) , hence fostering a closer relationship with them.
Just an option you might wish to consider.
Best of luck.
It could well be that Dale is not interested in School, yet he is mature enough to do some self-studying, then proceede to College, which is also a more independent way of learning.
Dale clearly demonstrate an already independent character, therefore a school environment is not for him. He needs to find time to find himself and feel secure within his family environment.
Dale parents will be closely involved in his education because it will be carried out mostly from their kitchen or living room :-) , hence fostering a closer relationship with them.
Just an option you might wish to consider.
Best of luck.
dale ure fit !!!!!!
Felt very sorry for Dale as he seems such a pleasant and keen young man. No matter how rich or poor you are the kids deserve kindness, help and consideration. I am glad it has worked out well for him as he deserves it. I would have taken him under my wing anytime. As a caring mother I would have helped him, given him lots of love and guidance for his security and good innings for life ahead. Good luck Dale. Love Margaret Ellison
As others have stated dales story is very moving and have brought back memories for me from 3 years ago when my boyfriend found himself in the same situation.it was heart breaking at the time to see his world fall apart and see it all happen again with dale.from my experiences i believe that not enough support is given to teenagers and they are often missunderstood and i was glad to see that dominic buggie tried to help dale as best he could.
however i'm worried that dales problems won't be fully resolved and that after effects years down the line my become and issue as these recent events will be hard to forget.
unfortunately i have seen a number of children in care that have ended up in prison including my boyfriend and pray that this will not be the case for a dale as he deserves a lot more in this world.hope he gets the support needed and i would be greatful to find out how hes doing.
however i'm worried that dales problems won't be fully resolved and that after effects years down the line my become and issue as these recent events will be hard to forget.
unfortunately i have seen a number of children in care that have ended up in prison including my boyfriend and pray that this will not be the case for a dale as he deserves a lot more in this world.hope he gets the support needed and i would be greatful to find out how hes doing.
yh man Dale is so buff, oh and touching documentary!
hi thanks for all your comments i really opreciate all of your conserns my dad did care for me wen i needed him most.if you would like to talk to me on the net my email is www.daledem@hotmail.co.uk
I would just like to say that all of you have judge very quickly,yes it was wrong of me to kick my son out but I can honestly say I just could not cope with Dale.
I love him to bit's but, the good times at that particular time had gone.
My younger son's was starting to act like Dale they would not do as they was told,they used to follow everything that Dale did Like climbing out of the window late at night,me not noing where he was, my younger son got permenantly excluded from school due to acting like Dale did .
I can honestly say I tried everything before I gave up hope.
My son Dale more or less told me in so many words that I could like the way things where or lump it.
Then I had the so called Mr Dominic Buggie saying let Dale come back home so the education can take you to court
the letters I got off him was proof enough
.
I had to think of my younger son's.
I got very little help and I thought for a time I would have a break down with all the stress.
I asked for Help so many times but I was on my own trying my hardest and yes I failed .
I failed and I do feel discussed with myself but I really had no other choice.
My son and I see each other , we are trying to build the bridges
Dale
Mum
I love him to bit's but, the good times at that particular time had gone.
My younger son's was starting to act like Dale they would not do as they was told,they used to follow everything that Dale did Like climbing out of the window late at night,me not noing where he was, my younger son got permenantly excluded from school due to acting like Dale did .
I can honestly say I tried everything before I gave up hope.
My son Dale more or less told me in so many words that I could like the way things where or lump it.
Then I had the so called Mr Dominic Buggie saying let Dale come back home so the education can take you to court
the letters I got off him was proof enough
.
I had to think of my younger son's.
I got very little help and I thought for a time I would have a break down with all the stress.
I asked for Help so many times but I was on my own trying my hardest and yes I failed .
I failed and I do feel discussed with myself but I really had no other choice.
My son and I see each other , we are trying to build the bridges
Dale
Mum
yes lad no need go school u dont leanr out
I can only reiterate the previous comments - where are Social Services to offer support? what about the Connexions service in Bury (Personal Advisers)? I support young people and cannot believe that there was no adviser to mediate on his behalf - discussing his needs with college, helping with enrolling for (part time?) GCSE exams, getting him involved with volunteering (sports activities) etc etc. All I can say Dale is, lots of luck for the future - get yourself back to that sports scheme, offer to help coaching, enrol at college - you are far too good to be thrown on the scrapheap!!
Joanne
Joanne
Missed last episode,can anyone tell me how Dale did in his GCSE'S.Excellent but heartwrenching programme.Hope someone gives Dale a chance,including his mother!
god bless u
I feel very sorry for dale being kick
out of the house.
I hope he got an job.
out of the house.
I hope he got an job.
dale iz fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dale your a true soldier and you deserve the best in life. I think that we are all too quick to judge and point the finger: i think it was wrong for Dale's mom to throw him out at such a vital stage in his life but i also think their is such a lack of support in society for single mothers and they need help more than anyone in order to be able to help their children. keep doing what your doing Dale mate and don't let anyone bring you down. if you ever need anything i'd be happy to help you out and that goes for your mom too! take care xx
Melanie Monchar, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (19/07/2005 at 23:24)