A guide to being looked after
Your health matters
MY HEALTH
Being healthy covers things like what you eat, what exercise you do and being confident and happy.
It is also important that you know when and how to seek help or advice from professionals if you are feeling unwell or worried about your health.
Why is there special help for looked after young people?
When you live away from your birth family it can be lonely and sometimes you can feel that there is no one to talk to.
You must remember that you are not alone – there are people who are able to help and who will answer your questions on all health issues, including sexual health, contraception and pregnancy matters.
They will do this by treating you with respect and not embarrassing you.
Being healthy covers things like what you eat, what exercise you do and being confident and happy.
Everyone has a unique body and all young people will have questions at some time or another about their aches and pains, whether things are working properly or not or if their bits and pieces are ‘normal’!
It is also natural that as you become a teenager you will have questions around your development, sexuality and sexual health. While with your carer it is important to remember that there are people available to help you and answer any questions that you may have.
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.