Information » Family & Relationships » Being in Care
Sometimes children or young people are not able to live with their parents. This can be down to many different reasons including illness or family problems.
If this happens to you then the local council will take care of your accommodation and education needs, sometimes this might mean that you live with what is known as a foster family. Depending on your circumstance, who looks after you can be a temporary or a long-term arrangement. You will have someone that helps to make sure you are looked after called a social worker and they should keep you up to date with what's happening.
Once you are in care of social services a plan must be made for how you will be looked after. This will include things like where you are going to live and how often you can see your parents if you and your family wish to keep in touch.
The law says social workers have to take notice of your wishes and feelings. Your thoughts and views matter so it´s important for you to say what you want when your social worker, your family, and the people caring for you are making plans for the future.
If there are things you´re not happy with, it´s best to talk to your carers or your social worker who can usually sort things out. And you can always contact the Advocacy Service for support.
This section looks at what it is like being in care, the types of care available and the support you might need while in care.
Organisations
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Carelaw
Providing information and guides for young people in care.
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BBC The Surgery
Information for young people living in care
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MEIC
Information, advice and support for your life. Free. Confidential. For you / Gwybodaeth, cyngor a chefnogaeth i dy fywyd. Am ddim. Cyfrinachol. I ti.
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Citizens Advice Bureau
Advice on going into care and your rights
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National Youth Advocacy Service
offers advice, information, support and representation to young people in care and leaving care on their rights. Helpline: 0800 616101 (Free phone, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm)
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Voice
is part of the national organisation Voice for the Child in Care. If you are unhappy with decisions that have been made about you or whilst you are in care, you can call free to speak to an advocate Tel. 0800 8005792
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A National Voice
is a charity run by and for young people in and leaving care
