Filmed over ten years, this moving documentary follows the story of two young boys, and examines how decisions made by social services changed their lives forever.

 The film offers unique insight into this pivotal time in the twins' lives, from the sometimes impossible decisions faced by social workers, who strive to balance the power to split families up with the wellbeing of children, to a father and his sons and the emotional turmoil they experience.

  In 1996, twins Mark and Jason Cox are aged 12 and living on a council estate in County Durham with their father, Tom. The boys are still mourning the loss of their mother, who was killed in a car crash three years earlier, which they too were involved in. Since her death, and a short-lived second marriage, Tom has struggled with the boys and with his drinking, so their grandmother has moved in to help. But when Tom's estranged second wife files a report with the police that he has hit one of the boys, family life comes under the spotlight. Because Mark suffered bruising, social services have to investigate.

 With unprecedented access, this observational documentary follows each side of the story as social services become increasingly concerned about the twins' physical and emotional well being. Tom says he's "not happy with the interference" while the social workers explain that they are trying to improve family life for all concerned. The boys feel they "could be loved somewhere else".

 Over the course of three dramatic months, the situation worsens as the boys get into trouble with school, and the police, and family relations gradually break down. Finally, the boys are removed from the care of their father. Once Mark and Jason are placed in care, the filming stops.

 Ten years later the documentary revisits the boys, now aged 22, to see how their lives turned out. While Mark and Jason retain their charm and humour, their lives have deteriorated. Mark spent his teenage years in a series of foster homes and both boys drifted into petty crime.

 Mark has just come out of jail and has a significant criminal record. Jason has faired better, but like his brother is also subject to an ASBO. Although extremely bright, their prospects are bleak and they are struggling to find work. The insurance money they received from the car crash that killed their mother was spent in under a year, on alcohol, drugs and parties.

 The film follows how key decisions that shaped the boys' lives were taken, and addresses the issues that led the twins to be removed from their natural father and placed in the care of the state.

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