By Hayley Robinson

The life and trials of children in foster care has been brought to the big screen for one week only in a bid to reignite the debate on reform in the care system.

Keith Gorman, of School Lane, Borden, co-wrote and is executive producer of the film Hell’s Pavement.

Directed by Andy Kemp and starring Pauline McLynn, Connor Byrne, Diveen Henry and introducing Keeki Bennetts, the film tells the story of the life of 11-year-old Aimee who is removed from the care of her own mother by well-meaning professionals attempting to protect her from further neglect and abuse.

The film generated enormous interest amongst foster parents and social workers from over 30 countries when it was first screened at the World Fostering Conference in Dublin 2009. And following an overwhelming demand to allow a wider audience the opportunity to see the film is being shown at The Lexi Cinema in London until tomorrow.

What makes the film even more remarkable is that it is based entirely on the production team’s personal experiences of working with the public, private and voluntary care sectors including Keith’s personal experiences of growing up in a family who fostered throughout the 70’s and 80’s.

The father of two said: "My mum was a foster parent so up until I left home I had had 63 foster siblings over the years.

"Aimee is a combination of the children that I and the others who were involved with the film, have worked with - so everything that happens to Aimee has happened to children in care.

"The title is based on the cliche ‘The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions’ because everyone who goes in to fostering goes into the system for the right reasons - to help children. But in the end they become so ground down by all the bureaucracy that the children are let down, they are moved from one family to the next and in the end they become more damaged than if they had been left in their own families with the appropriate help.

"We wanted to raise awareness in the industry of the damage being done to children and how we can improve it so this is the first step in that process.

"I’m hoping that we might even get Hell’s Pavement on the TV eventually."