What you think is really important as it should inform almost every decision we make about your care.
You have the opportunity to express your wishes, feelings, concerns, worries, anything you're pleased about, aspirations and more through statutory meetings as well as many voluntary options.
Give your views at a statutory meeting
You've got the chance to have your say about your care during the following statutory meetings:
- Social work and personal adviser visits
- Cared for child reviews - these happen at least every 6 months and offer a structured way to discuss every aspect of your care.
- Independent reviewing officer - as part of your review you'll have a chance to speak to someone outside of Children's Social Care about your situation.
- Personal Education Plan meeting - this happens during every school term and gives you a chance to talk about school and your aspirations.
- Foster carer reviews - as part of this you can provide feedback on the care you're receiving.
Get help making your voice heard
An independent advocate is someone on your side who can support you to express what you want and make sure your voice is heard.
An advocate can:
- Help you to understand your rights
- Take part in meetings and decisions
- Explain decisions and make sure your views are taken into account
- Make sure you have a say about your care
You might want an advocate if you:
- Are unhappy with your care
- Think you are being treated unfairly
- Believe you're not being kept informed
- Feel you're not involved in decisions about you
This service is available to care leavers up to age 25. It is confidential and independent from the council, and you are in control.
To speak to an advocate, get in touch or ask your social worker, teacher or another trusted adult to a make a referral on your behalf.
Discuss your ideas and opinions
The following groups and clubs aim to give a voice to cared for children and care leavers:
- The Children's Society - independent support for young people in care aged 7-19. They provide advocates to make sure your voice is heard by your council.
- Listen Up Group - run jointly with the Children’s Society and meets every month to discuss working to make young people's lives in care better. Talk to your social worker or ring the Children's Society on 01706 345600 for further information.
- YoungPersons Reference Group - for care leavers aged 18+ to provide feedback on the support they received during and after leaving care, offering an opportunity to improve the service for others. If you're interested talk to your personal adviser.
- Futures Club - for care leavers aged 16+ to talk about your future aspirations and how to achieve them. If you're interested talk to your personal adviser.
Complaints
If you've any concerns about the service and support you're receiving then please raise this as soon as possible with your social worker, personal adviser or manager. Hopefully, this will be resolved quickly.
However, if you feel this isn't good enough or you're not able to raise a complaint directly with them, please feedback back to us.