A guide to being looked after
WELCOME
We put this guide together to help you and others like you who have just come into care. It will tell you what it’s like to be cred for, what to expect and how to cope with the good and the bad.
We know you’re feeling scared and you feel like you’re the only one in the world that this has happened to. You probably feel really lonely and as if there’s no one who understands or who you can talk to.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone, there are lots of people who are in your shoes.
We understand why you might be feeling scared. There are people who will help you and who will listen. We’ve tried to cover everything in this guide that we thought you would want to know. We hope it helps. If there is anything not included here, please speak to your carer or social worker. We are here to listen to you.
WHY AM I HERE?
You’re probably asking why this has happened to you and when you can go home.
There are lots of reason why you might be being looked after. Often it’s because your family are not able to look after you at the moment or that things are difficult at home. Your social worker will be able to tell you more.
The person looking after you will be able to make sure you are safe and looked after.
Your social worker will look at what’s happening at home and try to help make things better so you can return home as quickly as possible. Sometimes this may happen quite fast, while for others it may take longer. Some young people will stay in care until they are old enough to live on their own.
You will find out what is planned for you during your looked after review. If you have any questions, ask your social worker – they are there to help you.
If you feel worried and need to talk you can always speak to your social worker or the Voice Team.
There are lots of other young people we care for that you can talk to and who can be your friend – they are going through the same thing as you
TIME WITH MY FAMILY
If it is safe for you to meet with family members, a social worker will arrange regular times to see them.
These may take place in a family centre, a community centre or sometimes at home. This is called ‘Family time’.
There will sometimes be someone supervising who will be present during family time.
Family time will only happen if it’s safe for you and it’s something that you want to happen
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARE
Foster Care
Foster care is a place where you live as a family, when you can’t be with your own family. Your foster carer will support you with your day-to-day needs while social work staff make decisions about where youcan live in the future
Family & Friends
People who have offered to look after you while your parents can’t.
Residential Home
You live here with other children, and staff who will care for you.
Respite Care
This is a stay in a foster home or a children’s residential home for a planned amount of time only, and is to give you or your parents/carer support and a break if needed.
Useful Resources and Websites
Get in touch with us if you find another website that may be of interest to others and we can include it here
Know Your Rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments.
Coram Voice
Every day Coram offers direct, practical help and emotional support to vulnerable children, young people, and their families.
Sandwell Virtual School
The Sandwell Virtual School (LACE) has high aspirations for looked after children and ensure that children and young people are given every opportunity to access the best education, giving them the chance to achieve their potential.
Help at Hand
If you’re in care, leaving care, living away from home or working with children’s services Help at Hand can offer you free support, advice and information.
Become
For 30 years, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with children in care and young care leavers, helping them get the support they need.
Horizons
Horizons is Sandwell Children’s Trusts dedicated Child Exploitation Team who specialise in supporting children and young people abused through all forms of exploitation.
Youth Justice
The Youth Justice Team is a group of professionals from Children and Young People, Health, Police and Probation services working with young people who are at risk of offending or who offend.
DECCA
The DECCA (Drug Education, Counselling and Confidential Advice) Team are Sandwell’s young people's alcohol, drug and tobacco service.
Childline
Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. We’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
Children's Commissioner
The Office of the Children's Commissioner for England is a non-departmental public body in England responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of children as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other human rights legislation.
National Youth Agency
NYA is the national body for youth work, and the Professional Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) for youth work in England.
British Youth Council
The British Youth Council empower young people aged 25 and under to influence and inform the decisions that affect their lives.