14-year-old Holly has written a school essay detailing her stepfather's physical abuse. In it she claims that she and her younger brother have been exposed to violence in the home. The report from Holly's school lands on the desk of social worker, Lars Madsen. Following his meeting with a clearly frightened Holly, Lars is convinced of the need for immediate action, and in the space of a few hours, he manages to place Holly and her younger brother, Theo, in emergency foster care. The children's parents completely deny the charges of abuse and are genuinely shocked by the council's handling of the case. They respond by hiring a lawyer and bringing their own case against social services. Lars now has only a few weeks to find evidence of the stepfather's abuse before the case is brought in front of the children and youth services committee, which will decide whether the children can return home or whether they should remain in foster care.