Pam Lafferty is approaching writing as a first-time writer at age 87, having completed a manuscript to the editing stage. A relatively recent retiree, ending her 43-year career in Child Protection Services at 81, when COVID forced the end. 

The hearings from victims and the release of the  Report of Abuse of Children in Care raised a serious discomfort that her lifelong work had been fruitless. I set about to explore this by writing a biography of my lived experiences and the political and societal impact upon the roles and work I did in the various social work roles I undertook in Oranga Tamariki and later Barnardos.

As this exercise progressed, I became aware that I still had something to say about the plight of children and the workers who try to protect them. People around me became interested, and I learned there was a place for my experiences to both inform and help others understand the work and workers.

Writing this down, as I have done, has already given me answers to some of my own questions, but it has also allowed me to see how enjoyable it is to become disciplined about writing in general.

I am now at the grind stage, but have appreciated the encouragement of several published authors I have spoken to and been affirmed by past colleagues who, like me, can't wait to see it in print.

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