So, I work with Special Needs kids at the high school level in an area that is primarily poor and uneducated.
Many of my kids are in foster care, have parents who are drug addicts and/or in jail, or otherwise in “at risk” situations. My kids are tough, they don’t assume anything and they often need intervention.
One student in particular caught my attention and I actually made a report to Child Protective Services this past October. I’ve been keeping an eye on this student since then. Unfortunately, this particular student is simple minded and doesn’t express herself well. Other teachers and counselors at the school wondered if maybe she was trying to get attention by telling stories. I asked her about positive things and encouraged her to focus on good things. She still “told stories”, but said good things that were happening at home too.
Anyway, last week, another student told me that she had seen this student being berated and threatened by her mom out in public.
I reported this to teachers and counselors and asked for a meeting to check in with this student, but she had been absent for a few days. Then we all learned that her mom withdrew her from school. We had no recourse. We were never going to see her again.
I’ve been devastated for this girl. I feel like we all failed her. I hope I never fail another student again.
I’m sorry. That’s awful to have to deal with. I used to work a similar job, and it is absolutely heartbreaking to have to see what these kids suffer through every day. You didn’t fail your student. You did everything in your power to help. It’s just that, sometimes, that’s not enough. Sometimes, there isn’t enough evidence to remove a kid from an abusive home. Sometimes, there is enough evidence, but the courts leave them there anyways, because there aren’t very many places willing to accept a special needs kid. And it is horrible and evil.
But you are still doing good work. You are an advocate for these kids. You show them that some adults can be trusted. You give them hope. It doesn’t seem like much at times like this, but it can make a world of difference to these kids. You can’t save everybody, but it’s important to keep trying anyways.
Once again, @Ninjastar, you have encouraging words of wisdom. Thank you.
I just hope this girl knows that I believed her, and that I cared.
I hope I make a difference to atleast a handful over the years. Otherwise I don’t know what I’m doing there. 
@Hedgehog don’t feel bad. Your hands were tied it sounds like. good for you for working.
I’m betting you make a difference to a whole lot of kids.
I don’t think you failed this girl at all, @Hedgehog. You did the best you could with what you were given to work with. It’s a tough job you do and you are to be commended for working with and caring for these kids when so many don’t.