If you're in care, your social worker will put together a care plan for you.
Your care plan says what you need and how you’ll be looked after. Before the plan is made, your social worker will talk to you, your family, your school and other people involved in your care.
The care plan will be written down so you can have a copy of it. Your social worker will talk it through with you and answer any questions you may have.
The care plan will include:
- where you will live
- who will look after you
- how they will look after you
- which school or college you will go to
- when and where you’ll see your family
- how we will keep you healthy
- how you can practice your religion and culture
- what will happen in the future, in the next few weeks and after that.
Your care plan will be updated if things change and will be looked at as part of your review.
Your review
An Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) is appointed for you to manage the case review process. They do this by speaking to you and the people responsible for caring for you. The reason we have the review process is to look at your care plan with you, make sure it is being followed and that it is still right for you. We want you to be as happy as possible and properly cared for.
It is also the job of your IRO to make sure you are being listened to properly and that you are supported enough to be able to ask adults questions if you want to. Helping you to have a voice is very important.
Your IRO may also chair a meeting where they will bring together the people in your life who know you well and the people working with you while you’re in care. This is called a review meeting.
The idea is to see how you’re getting on, to talk about the everyday things in your life and your plans for the future. Once we know this, we can make sure your care plan right for you to give you the best chance of being happy and settled, now and in the future.
If you want someone to attend a meeting as part of the review process your social worker will ask who you want to attend. Your IRO will only invite people who you want to attend the meeting with you. If you do not want to attend a meeting with other people you can meet your IRO on your own.
If you decide to attend the meeting, your IRO will make the meeting as relaxed as possible, as it is really important that you attend. If you don’t want to attend a meeting, your IRO can talk to you about other ways you can share your views.
Being involved in your review is really important because it all about your care plan, what you think about it and how the adults are making sure it is the right plan for you.
Before the review, we’ll give you a booklet that you can use to write down your wishes and feelings. Your carer or social worker can help you with this or, if you prefer someone independent you can ask for an advocate.
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
NYAS advocates can support and listen to you if you feel your wishes and feelings are not being heard by your social worker, carers or anyone else involved in decisions about your care and welfare.
Independent visitors can also spend time with you at or away from your home or placement.
They can help if you are:
- not being listened to
- in need of some advice
- in need of help to talk to children’s services
- aren’t being treated fairly
- being told you have to move
- having difficulties in school
- not having the contact with your family that you want
- homeless
- experiencing the separation or divorce of your parents
- not feeling safe
If you are a child or young person or vulnerable adult, or are acting on behalf of one, and you need help, information or advice, please visit the NYAS website.