What to expect when you come into care?
Living in care is when you live away from your parents. Children and young people come into care for different reasons. It could be because your family cannot look after you at the moment or things are difficult at home. It’s never your fault.
What happens when I’m in care?
You will get a social worker. They will make sure you’re cared for in the best way possible and will:
- Find you a home, somewhere that suits your needs and circumstance. This can be with foster carers, in a residential home or with other family members.
- Make sure you attend school
- Make sure you get any healthcare you need
Your social worker will visit you in the first week of your new home, and then every 6 weeks after that. If you’re still in care after a year and you’re happy and settled, they might not need to visit you as much.
Where will I live?
You could live:
- With foster carers
- With other members of your family
- In a children’s home
- Semi-independently with support
What is a Care and Support plan?
Every child or young person in care has a Care and Support plan. This plan is about you and your needs.
It covers arrangements for seeing your family, where you live, health, education, future plans, and anything else important to you. Your social worker will talk to you and listen to you and answer any questions you might have when completing the plan.
What is a review meeting?
A meeting where your support plan is reviewed to make sure it’s meeting your needs, and if not, agree any changes that are in your best interests. You can attend your review meeting.
What is an advocate?
Sometimes you might find it difficult to say what you want or ask questions about your care. An advocate can help you express your feelings and wishes.
Advocates are independent to your social worker and carers, and your relationship with them is confidential. They can:
- come to meetings with you and talk on your behalf
- help you understand your rights
- make sure the people involved in your care listen to you
- explain legal processes
- help you write letters or make phone calls
- help you make a complaint
To find out more about your local advocacy provider, check out the ‘Who is My Advocacy Provider?‘ tool on NYAS Cymru’s website.
How long will I be in care?
It depends on your situation. Some children go into care when they’re babies, some are a bit older, and some are cared for a short time before going back to live with their parents.
If you don’t go back to live with your parents, you can be in care until you’re 18 years old. When you’re 18 you’re an adult and you become a care leaver.
There is support available for care leavers in Wales. You will be assigned a personal advisor who can help you on your transition to adulthood. They can support you with issues such as housing, education and employment.
How Meic can help
If you need help or information about anything in this blog, Meic is here for you. We offer free and confidential advice, advocacy and support for young people under 25 in Wales. We’re open everyday from 8am to midnight and you can contact us on the phone, over Whatsapp or text message, or use our online chat.
