John-Baptiste's care system memoir goes to Hodder

BBC presenter Ashley John-Baptiste’s memoir, Looked After: A Childhood in Care, about his experience of the care system from the age of two, has been signed by Hodder & Stoughton.

It promises “a visceral account of the UK’s care provision from the inside,” the publisher said.   

Cameron Myers, formerly assistant editor at Hodder, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Jim Gill at United Agents. Hodder will publish Looked After: A Childhood in Care on 13th June 2024 in hardback, e-book and audio, which will be read by the author.

John-Baptiste, now a presenter and senior reporter at the BBC, grew up in foster and residential care in south east London and faced school exclusions and suspensions as a child. “Despite a turbulent childhood, Ashley gained a place to study history at Cambridge University,” Hodder said.

“Soon after graduating, Ashley fronted a BBC Three documentary about his childhood in care, which kick-started his career as a broadcaster. He is now an award-winning BBC presenter and broadcast journalist who appears regularly on ‘The One Show’ and ‘BBC News’, covering topics such as adoption, race, homelessness and the care system. He continues his work mentoring care-experienced people and also co-presents the BBC One daytime series ‘Expert Witness’ and ‘Dr Xand’s Con or Cure?’."

John-Baptiste said: “Imagine being eight years old, thinking you’re with your forever family, and then you’re shunted into a care home. That happened time and time again for me and felt like rejection. In Looked After I’ve tried to explain what it feels like to be part of a family, but not be family. I really hope that by sharing my journey I may give hope and insight to others.”

He added: “If you had told me when I was 16 that I’d go on to become a BBC journalist and broadcaster, a dad and husband, I never would have believed you.” 

Hodder non-fiction publisher Rupert Lancaster, who is now publishing the book after Myers joined Penguin General, said: “We’re very proud to be publishing Looked After and giving voice not only to Ashley’s story, but also the unheard children who are suffering in this country’s inadequate care system. The way he tells his own story with such quiet strength and power make it an engaging, thought-provoking book. I’m sure readers are going to be moved and uplifted.” 

John-Baptiste has been an ambassador for The Fostering Network charity and for the Royal Television Society’s bursary scheme. He is the founder of Be Inspired events, which supports care-experienced youth in their aspirations.