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A guide to being looked after
Who are all these people?

WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE?

You will probably come into contact with the following people:

Social Worker

Social Workers are members of staff who will visit you every 4 – weeks and make sure that you are OK, they also think about what your long term plan might look like. This is called permanency. Social workers have your best interests at heart and need to make sure you are kept safe and are provided with the best possible care. They can also help you with any problems you may have. Write down your social worker’s name and number and keep it in a safe place.

Supervising Social Worker

Visit your foster carer regularly to make sure they have the help they need to look after you well. 

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)

You will see, the Independent Reviewing Officer, at your review. They will chair your review and give an independent viewpoint.

They check that your care plan is working with you, your social worker and other people in your life.

They make sure that your school, family time and health is as good as it should be. If you need legal help they can help to arrange this. 

LACE Worker

LACE workers work for the Looked After Children Education Service. They will meet you to make sure that your education is going well and to plan targets for you in school.

Health Nurse

They will see you every 12 months to make sure you are in good health. This can be more often if you need help and advice.

 

Health Nurse

They will see you every 12 months to make sure you are in good health. This can be more often if you need help and advice.

Carer

They look after you on a day to day basis and will ensure that your  voice is heard during
important meetings.

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

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.