Big Decisions The Dumping Ground Survival Files

All right. Here we go.

This is The Dumping Ground New Kids' Blog on

Decisions and Dilemmas made by me, Johnny Taylor.

You're not starting without me.

Oh, Floss. Sorry. Didn't see you there.

Mike said you have to let me help with the New Kids' Blog thingy.

Right, well, the thing is, Floss, it's about difficult

decisions and big dilemmas and stuff like that.

You know, things that a little kid like you wouldn't really understand.

The thing is, Johnny...

I am helping. And that's that.

All right. You can help by sitting there and smiling nicely.

Hello and welcome to The Dumping Ground.

Oi. That's my line.

It's not as bad as it sounds.

If you're watching this, you're one of us now.

SCREAMING

Relax. You're going to love it here.

Ta-da!

You'll meet some amazing new friends.

Get to try exciting new food.

HE GROANS

We promise, it's an experience you'll never forget.

-Brilliant.

-CHEERING

But remember, this is a place where random chaos can strike at any time.

So you have to be prepared...

SHE SCREAMS For pretty much anything.

And that's why we've made this video blog.

We've been through all this...

So that you don't have to.

This time on The Dumping Ground Survival Files,

big decisions and tricky dilemmas.

You need to watch this blog. It's a no-brainer.

You should be good at it then.

This is meant to be serious, Floss.

So you're coming to live with us for a bit.

That's why you're watching this. Now, I'm not going to lie -

living here isn't always easy

and tricky decisions come thick and fast.

Whose side to take in an argument.

What to do when you don't get on with someone.

Whether to speak out

when something's happening that you don't think is right.

It is tough, but it's no good complaining.

It's not like you've got any choice anyway, is it?

Anyway, let's begin with a biggy.

This is something that happened to me.

It started one day when I did something which was pretty heroic,

even if I do say so myself.

INDISTINCT SHOUTS DOG BARKING

Hey!

Move, move.

Come here.

Give it!

Give it back!

Are you OK, love?

Yeah.

-Thank you for helping.

-That's all right.

-I got his photo.

-Oh, brilliant.

You would have caught him if you hadn't taken a dive.

Hey! You should be congratulating your friend, not winding him up.

Not many people step up like that.

Were you scared?

I didn't really have time to think. It felt good, though.

I mean, it was over in seconds and that was that.

Or so I thought.

-Ashdene Ridge?

-Yeah.

We've had a few young people from there over the years.

In case your care-worker wants to get hold of me.

Sergeant Major.

Yeah, Nicky will do.

Thank you.

It's good to meet you all.

Especially you, Johnny.

See you.

Meeting Nicky - or should I say Sergeant Major Richardson -

set me thinking about what I should be doing with my life.

But joining the army isn't something you decide to do lightly.

So I needed to find out more.

What did your care-worker say

when you said you were thinking about joining up?

I haven't told him yet.

I wanted to find out a bit more about it first.

Oh... Nothing wrong with a bit of forward planning, but...

it's good to talk it through with someone, too.

This is good for family and friends.

It gives them an idea of what army life might be like.

KNOCK ON DOOR

'My plan was to take the gentle approach. Be sensitive.'

Um... I've decided what I want to do when I finish school.

I thought you were going to college?

No, this is way better. I'm going to join the army.

What?

Why?

Cos it's a proper job that people respect.

If this is about getting in trouble earlier,

that's a stupid reason for wanting to go to war.

No, it's about being a part of something that matters.

What about me?

I don't matter? Johnny, you're all I've got.

I couldn't bear to lose you.

Well...

Read this. It might help you understand.

That's it?

A brochure? We're not even going to talk about this?

That was you being sensitive?!

I don't know why Tee was getting so stressy.

I still don't, to be honest.

Sometimes I just don't know how her mind works.

Why don't we ask her?

It would be a good thing to put in our blog.

I was going to suggest that.

I was!

Tee, you know when I told you about me wanting to join the army,

why did you make such a fuss? After all, it's my decision.

That's not actually a question, is it, Johnny?

Was that why you were upset?

Because he was being an insensitive pig?

I wasn't being...insensitive.

You were a bit.

Oh. Really?

It was the way you told me.

You didn't ask me or discuss it with me. You'd already decided.

That must have been hurtful.

Floss!

No, she's right. I just wanted the chance to talk it through.

To be a part of it.

I was excited. I suppose I just didn't think.

That's perfect. Thanks, Tee.

So Johnny was only thinking about himself.

That's not fair.

Do you want me to replay what Tee said?

-Err...well...

-Thought not.

So, with really big decisions,

you mustn't forget how it will affect people, too.

That's important.

OK. Here's another example. This one was really tricky.

Tee and I both thought we were going to be fostered,

but then out of the blue...

This isn't all going to be just about you, is it?

There are other people who live here.

Tell you what, why don't you go and film your own pretend blog?

I bet Mo would knock you up a fake camera out of loo roll or something.

Johnny Taylor. Don't you dare patronise me!

Now would I do that to a cutie like you?

Harry, I'd like you to tell me about a time

when you had to make a really tough decision.

Easy. When I let you have Jeff to keep.

And what was it that made you decide that?

Well, I saw that you were new here and you needed a friend.

Preferably a giraffe.

I like the jungle.

-It's for Jeff.

-Jeff?

-He wants to move in.

No, he doesn't.

Yes, he does.

Or I'll tell Mike you scared me away.

But mostly because I didn't want any more slaps.

Mo, say something.

I'm thinking.

Mo?!

Sorry. It's just one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.

That's good, but speed it up a bit. What was the dilemma?

What to do with Rocky.

The snake?! Why was that a big deal?

Because I loved him.

Go on, then. What happened?

Well, I had to choose. Either Rocky's happiness or mine.

It's not fair keeping Rocky in such a small cage.

In the wild, he's got the whole of Ecuador to slither around in.

Are you sending him back to Ecuador?

Don't be silly, he's going to live in Sid's house.

-I don't follow.

-That's why he's off-colour, isn't it?

-Cos he misses his friends.

-That figures.

I get to play with my friends whenever I want.

-Why shouldn't Rocky?

-Fair point.

Sid has got 18 milk snakes running wild around his house.

Really? You and me both, pal.

Don't forget me, Rocky. I'm never going to forget you.

He was just a snake, though.

No, Rocky was my friend.

You've got friends. What about me and Harry?

Yes, but you can't slither under doors and eat earwigs.

We could try.

-JOHNNY:

-OK, Floss. I'll have the camera back now.

I've got something important to ask Carmen.

I hadn't finished.

Why don't you go and find some earwigs to try out on Harry?

Right. Enough kids' stuff, let's get this blog back on track

with the total minefield that is dating.

Right, OK, shoot.

Well, it's a bit personal.

Right?

It's about decisions, and I want to know about

when you decided that you and Rick would become, you know, an item.

We're not all dorks. I'll take you shopping and I'll prove it to you.

Shopping? What, like girlie clothes shops, not record stores?

Yeah, no sweat. I'm a fashion forward kind of guy.

-THEY LAUGH

-Where do you get these things?

I'll throw in a burger as well.

All right, you're on.

Well, the first bit was easy.

The only surprising thing was that I'd not noticed

he was boyfriend material sooner.

# I guess you say

# What can make me feel this way?

-# My girl

-My girl... #

But I guess he pulled out all the stops when we went shopping.

Yeah. So I felt like agreeing to go out with Rick

was one of my better decisions.

T-shirt, bracelet, mirror...

Rick paid for all this?

-It wasn't that much.

-So you two had a good time?

Yeah. Yeah, it was brilliant.

Trouble is, deciding to go out with him was one thing.

What I'd not realised was that decision would lead to

loads of others.

It's been 48 minutes since I've seen him. Do you think that's enough?

-What?

-My magazine says it should be an hour.

-Is a selfie too vain?

-What are you talking about?

Texting Rick.

It says that if I do it too soon, then it'll seem like a cling-on.

If I leave it too late, it'll seem like I don't care.

FAITH SCOFFS

Faith!

Not that Rick was having the same problems.

From what I can tell, it was all plain sailing for him.

PHONE RINGS

Guess who.

-Yeah, I better take this.

-You can't, it's your shot.

Mates before dates.

Unless you want to be doing makeovers or reciting poetry.

Of course not. Don't be stupid.

It's all about boundaries. Give her some space.

She'll respect you for it.

Listen...

What you have to remember is Rick is just a simple lad.

It's best not to let things get too complicated for him,

so he can keep up.

LOL?

LOL? He used a smiley.

That is awful.

What had gone wrong, do you think?

I suppose it can just happen that relationships can go stale.

You'd only been going out with him ten minutes.

No offence, Floss. But what would you know?

Relationships are complicated.

That's why you have to be mature and in control.

Come on, it's been two hours

and he hasn't replied to my good morning text.

And I know he's awake cos I heard him talking to Tyler.

You listened outside his door?

How else am I supposed to know what he's doing?

-Knock and ask him!

-Tee, you've never had a boyfriend.

You have no idea of the pressure I'm under.

DOOR SLAMS

It was decision time. Things couldn't go on like this.

Something had to give.

-Had a good day with your boyfriend?

-Eh?

I thought we were meant to be doing something together,

-so I've wasted the whole day.

-We didn't arrange anything.

We're meant to be going out.

Can you not be bothered to have a girlfriend anymore?

Chill your boots. You don't own him.

I was just trying to give you your space.

Space? We haven't even been on a date yet!

It's like you don't care about my feelings at all.

-I'm sorry.

-Sorry?!

It seems that I'm the only one putting any work into this

-relationship.

-I thought it was supposed to be fun?

Do I look like I'm having fun?

I'm exhausted, I'm starving, and I've got a really bad headache.

All right, well, if it's such torture, what are we doing it for?

Do you think she kissed him?

-We don't need to go into that.

-Why not?

The point is, it was a tricky decision, but it ended well.

So we're OK then, yeah?

No hard feelings?

-You're dumped.

-No, you're dumped.

I don't think so. Dumper. Dumpee.

Shut up.

Such a minefield - this whole relationship thing.

-So that's lucky then.

-Lucky?

That no-one's ever going to want to go out with you.

So, what have we learnt so far about making big decisions to

upload into The Dumping Ground Survival Files?

Having to make tricky decisions is part of growing up

and sometimes it can be tough.

It's hard enough when you know a difficult decision

will have a big impact on your own life.

But it can be even harder when you know it's going to affect others.

Johnny knows all about that from telling Tee about the army.

So sometimes you have to try to see the bigger picture -

like Mo did with Rocky the snake that time.

Right. It's my turn.

What, more about crawling under doors and eating earwigs with Mo?

I don't think so.

No, I've had this great idea.

I want to ask Bailey about the trouble he had with his coach.

No way! I'm not having Bailey on my blog.

Our blog. And I'd like to ask him some stuff.

No, it's not happening. End of.

OK. How about I go and ask Harry some more about when he let me have Jeff.

OK. But just don't be too long, all right.

And make sure it's just Harry.

Of course.

(Bailey.)

Bailey.

Why are you whispering?

I want you on our blog, but Johnny mustn't know I'm talking to you.

No way! Don't want be on his crummy blog.

Please. I wanted to ask about your nasty football coach.

Oh, what?! Don't remind me!

Why are you always on my case?

I'm on your case because you're wasting your talent.

You've got bags of ability, but you haven't got it up here.

I've seen it with your type before. A million times.

You OK?

Yeah, why wouldn't I be?

What he said was so wrong.

Why was it so hard to decide what to do?

I suppose I just didn't want any fuss.

And I didn't think anyone would believe me.

Tell me what happened.

Tell me!

It doesn't matter.

Tell me.

-Mr Jenkins.

-What about Mr Jenkins?

What did he do to you?

It's...it's what he called me.

What made you decide to tell in the end?

Wasn't me, it was Faith. She was so furious.

She took the decision out of my hands.

-When she told Mike?

-Yeah.

The only one with a problem here is him.

-Is that clear?

-Suppose.

Is that clear?

100%.

-Where are you going?

-Where do you think?

What do you think about it now, looking back?

I dunno. I doubt it's changed anything.

Well, that loser of a coach won't be doing it to anyone else, will he?

Yeah, I suppose not.

He's obviously misunderstood me.

You can't misunderstand THAT word.

OK, OK, I lost my temper.

And...but...you didn't hear the way that Bailey spoke to me.

I hear it every day.

It doesn't make it OK. It's never OK.

'Well, that loser of a coach won't be doing it to anyone else, will he?

'Yeah, I suppose not.

'Thanks, Bailey. That's great.'

It's good, isn't it?

It's Bailey.

-We have to put it in the blog.

-No, I don't.

Yes, we do. It's perfect.

Next up has got to be Jody.

I'm doing that.

Go on, then.

OK. When Jody's dodgy brother Kingsley was arrested again,

it seemed that he was finally going to get what he deserved.

Except Jody's mum saw things differently.

What's he done this time?

Just breaking and entering. And handling stolen goods.

From the time when you were living at home.

It don't mean to say she saw nothing.

If I told the police everything I knew about Kingsley,

they probably would have enough to send him down for years.

Except with him, it's never that simple.

He always manages to get off somehow.

Imagine what would happen if you were a witness.

The case goes to court, Kingsley gets off.

He would make our lives a misery.

You know what he'd do to you for snitching.

What Mum was saying seemed to make sense.

-I can't do it, Mike.

-That's my girl.

Poor kid.

That's a tough situation for anyone to have to go through -

let alone a girl of that age.

So what made her change her mind, do you think?

That's a good question. And I don't have the answer.

She's a deep thinker, that one.

Who knows what goes through her head.

What made you decide to talk to the police, Jody?

Well, I guess you could say it came to me in kind of a dream.

Snitch and you'll be sorry.

What have you done this time?!

-Nothing.

-He stole some tarts from the Queen of Hearts.

I bought them off her, mate.

I'm not doing this.

Well, I am!

Came to you in a dream? Bit weird!

Me weird? I wasn't the one in the yellow gear with the mad hat.

What's that supposed to mean?

Oh. Nothing.

He stole your tarts and everybody here knows it.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Silence!

If everybody knows it, then how come there are no witnesses?

-Ah!

-Good!

JURY SHOUT

Because I saw him!

THEY GASP

Whatever I did, somebody wouldn't be happy.

So it made sense to rely on what I felt. Like deep inside.

-You've given a witness statement?

-After I told you not to?

It's Jody's choice.

You. You talked her into this, didn't you?

No-one talked me into anything, Mum.

It's time someone did something about Kingsley.

It didn't have to be one of us. I didn't bring you up to be no snitch.

Mum, where are you going?

Somewhere Kingsley won't find me. Thanks for that.

-Please, Mum!

-Get off me!

Mum!

Luke!

I wish you could hear yourself. Give her some credit.

That's a really tough decision for anyone to make.

Let alone a kid.

What Jody's done takes real guts.

Let's see how gutsy she is when her brother comes looking for her.

-Maybe he won't. If we back her.

-We can't.

Jody risked everything to set us free from Kingsley.

And this is how you repay her?!

You should be the one setting an example. Not her.

I tell you what, if she's got the bottle...

then so have I.

And because of what I told the police, Kingsley did get sent down.

I'm still not back with my mum, though.

Mum hates me now, doesn't she?

She's scared, Jodes. She'll come round in time.

She doesn't know it, but hopefully we've given her her life back.

At least we're all safe. For now.

You know what, she blew me away. Such maturity.

Jody was able to see the wood for the trees and work out what to do.

Family stuff can be the hardest.

Yeah. You know what, though?

Deciding to go with a new family can be the toughest decision of all.

You should talk to Floss about that.

HE CHUCKLES I'm sure she'll have plenty to say.

-HE SCREAMS

-You OK?

Yeah. Never better.

Has your thumb always been that shape?

Oh, very funny. Why don't you go and talk to Floss now.

Yep. Sure. Will do.

Right, as I was saying, once there was this family

who wanted to foster Tee, but then they decided that...

I heard what Mike said.

Mike? I've not seen Mike for hours.

Big fat liar. I was hiding behind the hedge.

That was a private conversation.

Mike said we should talk about me, so we're going to.

We're going to talk about Norris and Doggy.

They wanted to be my mum and dad.

But I've still got a real mum somewhere.

I just don't know where.

Go on, then. What happened?

So they had decided to have me,

but I didn't know anything about it, so I couldn't decide.

And then that's when things started to get a bit out of hand.

And then it turned out I could decide. So I decided.

Right. Well, I think we might have to explain it

a bit better than that.

Better than that? I'd like to see you try.

She's just on her way down.

Right, so this couple turned up here one day to meet you.

I'm really nervous. Sorry.

We've been waiting a long time.

It's a big day for everyone.

'Yep. Norris and Doggie.

'Are you sure that was what they were called?'

Floss, this is Nerys and Doug.

-Hello, Floss.

-You're even bonnier than your photo.

'Of course I'm sure. They were going to be my parents!'

So, you like candyfloss?

'They were doing their best, I suppose.'

-And-and-and strawberry jelly.

-And your favourite colour is red.

You know, we all thought you were lucky.

The rest of us have been waiting for someone to pick us for years.

But no-one asked me what I wanted.

And then I found out what was really happening.

I can't play monsters with you tomorrow, Harry.

I'm going to meet Norris and Doggie.

-Who are they?

-My new mum and dad.

You'll keep living here, though, won't you?

Yeah.

No, you won't. Don't you know what adopted means?

Going away and never coming back.

-What, ever?

-Yep.

And that's when things started going a bit wrong.

Is that your mum?

-No.

-Where is she?

Don't you have one?

RUMBLING

BOY CRIES

-What happened?

-She pushed him.

Why did you push that little boy?

That is a horrible, nasty thing to do.

You can't go round hurting other children.

Say sorry, Floss. They're just kids.

-Go and get him another ice cream, Dougie.

-What flavour was it?

-Chocolate?

-Are you all right, sweetheart?

'I don't know what came over me.

'I'm usually such a sweet little girl. Everybody says so.

'We've all got a dark side.'

Time to get you cleaned up.

'It was the nail varnish thing that really did it.'

Why don't we take this off as well.

-Little girls don't need nail varnish.

-No!

What were you thinking?

Floss, what are you doing?

How can a little girl make so much mess?

Not to worry, not to worry, I'll clear this in no time.

-Dougie!

-It's fine. It's fine. Look. I've scooped out all the mess.

When you have finished tending to your pets, perhaps you would

like to help me explain to Floss why this is not acceptable behaviour!

-You can't tell me off!

-Floss!

They're not my mum and dad. I've already got a mum.

-Sorry, but you were totally out of order.

-Johnny!

No. You need to learn to show a bit more respect.

Johnny! I don't think anyone has told you this, but my mum left me

in a nail bar when I was a baby.

No! Really?

I think that's why I like the nail stuff so much.

So who put things right with Norris and Doggy?

I mean, Nerys and Dougie.

May Li and your sister.

If she left me in the nail bar, she could come back.

If she was going to, she would've by now, Floss.

Not if she was under a magic spell. Or captured by monsters.

No, I guess that could be a problem.

And she wouldn't know where to find me if I was with a new mum and dad.

You have to let her wait, if that's what she wants.

I thought that once they had decided they wanted to have me,

I didn't have any say.

Suppose your mum never turns up and you're here for years and years,

till you're as old as Frank?

Then this can be my family.

Come here.

When I found out I had a choice, I knew what I wanted.

And we're all very glad that you made that decision.

The place wouldn't be the same without you.

Thanks, Johnny. What a lovely, big cutie you are!

So what have we learnt about big decisions to

upload into The Dumping Ground Survival Files?

Having to make tough calls is a part of life that none of us can avoid.

We all have to do it sometimes.

But that doesn't make it any easier when it affects you.

If you are struggling about making a difficult decision,

don't rush into it. Try to think things through.

And think what it might mean for others, too.

Discussing stuff with friends and family can really help.

Like Johnny didn't do

when he just announced to Tee he was joining the army.

When it comes to it, if you are really torn about something, I guess

you have to just go with what feels right deep down, like Jody did.

And if you think that something is being decided for you

and you're not sure about it, don't be afraid to speak up.

That's the lowdown on big decisions

safely uploaded into The Dumping Ground Survival Files.

Good luck with any tricky decisions you have to make.

-And remember...

-She's been through all this...

So that you don't have to.