A guide to being looked after
Your school and where you’ll live
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH SCHOOL?
When you are living with a different family, your social worker will try to keep you in the same school as they know it is important for you to keep in contact with your teachers and friends.
Sometimes, however, this is not possible and they may have to move your school because:
- You are now living too far from your old school.
- You may be in danger if you attend your old school.
If you have been moved from your old school and you don’t understand why, ask your social worker and they will explain it to you.
If you are unhappy about how your school has been changed you can make a complaint. See the section called ‘Things aren’t right – what can I do?’ for help with making a complaint.
PEP
A PEP is a Personal Education Plan. This keeps a record of how you are getting on in school and helps you and your teacher set targets. This is to make sure you get a good education and all your needs at school are met. We think it is really helpful to set these targets as your education is very important.

Why have a PEP?
Having a PEP means that teachers and social workers can help you deal with the changes that are happening around you while you are in care. Remember that even with all the problems you have, education is still important and you can still achieve a lot.
Wherever we can, we will try to keep you at the same school. We don’t want you to have too many changes all at the same time. But if this isn’t best for you, or your placement is outside Sandwell, you may have to move school.
At school, you will have a designated teacher who is there to help with your education and will attend your Personal Education Plan (PEP) meeting. You will have a PEP meeting every six months. This is to look at how you are doing and see if any other support needs to be put in place. You have the right to attend these meetings with your social worker and foster carer.
In Sandwell, we also have a Virtual School for children wec are for. This works closely with schools to make sure you have a good education.
There are lots of other young people being cared for that you can talk to and who can be your friend – they are going through the same thing as you
ALL ABOUT WHERE I’LL BE LIVING
Use of the Telephone/Mobile
Phone/Tablet/ Computer
You can use what has been agreed with your carers and your social worker. We need to make sure that everyone stays safe as we know how activities online can sometimes be tricky to manage on your own.
School equipment
If you are at school your carer will buy all the things you need, like books, pens and pencils. Your carer will make sure you have a school uniform and PE kit. Clothes and presents and special occasions
Your carer will make sure that you have enough clothes – there is a clothing allowance that they can use for this. They also have an allowance to buy you presents for your birthday and other special occasions, depending on your culture or what festivals you celebrate.
Activities
Your carer will pay for you to do activities like dance classes and football. If you were doing these before, they will help you to keep them up. They will also encourage you to try out some new things in the area.

Activities
Your carer will pay for you to do activities like dance classes and football. If you were doing these before, they will help you to keep them up. They will also encourage you to try out some new things in the area.
School trips and travel
Your carer can sign forms for you to go on trips with the school, if it is for a day. your carer should support you to travel to and from school and if it’s too far or they are looking after other children, then your social worker will look at other ways to get you to school.
Your own room
You should have your own room, or you may be able to share with someone if you are related to them and they are the same sex.
Meals
Your carer should meet your dietary and religious needs when cooking your meals and ask you what kind of food you enjoy.
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.