There is some discussion about child protection in Worst Case Scenario as Helen Fitzgerald is exploring the life of a seasoned social worker who once worked in that area. Mentioned in passing is Vanessa, a young Care Experienced woman Mary knew as a baby and who was going on to college at 18 (p. 66) having been adopted as a child. The other Care Experienced Person in the story is John Paul O'Donnell, a drug-addicted young man Mary takes advantage of.