Updated 13/01/15
A Guide To
Being in Care
For Children and
Young People
Contents
Introduction Page 3
Pathways into Care Page 3-6
Role of your Social Worker Page 6
Adoption Page 7
Special Guardianship Order Page 8
Residence Order Page 8-9
Care Plans Page 9
Statutory Reviews Page 9
Being in Care and Rules Page 13
Contact Page 14
What do I need to get permission for? Page 17
Being placed in Secure Accommodation Page 20
Education Page 23
Health Page 25
Money Matters: Financial support to Looked After Children Page 27
Access to your Social Care files Page 28
How do I make a complaint Page 30
Trafford’s Pledge to Children in Care Page 32
Introduction
Below you will find pages that are designed as a guide for looked after children and young people. The information on these pages covers many topics ranging from your rights in care, to what happens when you leave care and how to make a complaint.
Trafford Council Children’s Services Procedures
Trafford Council children’s Service Procedures provide detailed information about many of the issues that are explored in this guide and they can be accessed by clicking on the following http://www.trafford.gov.uk/about-your-council/children-families-and-wellbeing/childrens-services-procedures.aspx
You can find information within the council procedures about specific topics by clicking on the link below and typing in the key word which relates to the topic you are looking for.
http://www.proceduresonline.com/greater_manchester/childcare/trafford/search/searc h.html?zoom_sort=0&zoom_query=what+is+parental+responsability+&zoom_per_pa ge=10&zoom_and=0
How and why do children come into care: Pathways into care?
Children become looked after when they are made subject to a legal order made by a court (such as a care order or emergency protection order) or when they are accommodated at the request of their parent(s) or any other adults with parental responsibility for the child.
Emergency protection order
This is a legal order made by the court at the request of social services when there is concern that a child is at risk of significant harm. This could happen quite quickly and the child's parents would be notified in advance. The parents would also have a right to have legal advice.
Care orders
If a child is subject to a care order this means that the local authority (LA) has parental responsibility for the child. The LA shares this parental responsibility with birth parents. An interim care order is sometimes issued when legal proceeding are taking place and this also gives the LA parental responsibility for the child with the agreement of the court.
Police protection
In emergency situations where there is significant risk to a child the police can remove a child and place them in local authority accommodation.
Being Accommodated
If the child is accommodated, the LA does not have parental responsibility although they undertake day to day parental responsibilities for the child on behalf of the child's parents and any other adult who has parental responsibility for the child. Any decisions made about the child will be made together with the child's parents.
Asylum seeking children are accommodated when there is no appropriate adult available to take responsibility for them.
Being Remanded and Becoming Looked After
Some children become looked after because they have been charged with a criminal offence and are placed in the care of the local authority by the court until they are dealt with by the criminal courts.
What is Parental Responsibility?
It is the rights and duties which parents have towards their children. Parental Responsibility means taking responsibility for you while you are a child and making decisions about you.
Who has Parental Responsibility?
All mothers have Parental Responsibility. Your father will have Parental Responsibility if he is or was married to your mother. If your father was not married to your mother he may have obtained Parental Responsibility by making a formal agreement with your mother or by an Order of the court.
From 1st December 2003, fathers who registered a child's birth with the mother automatically gained Parental Responsibility. This only applies to children who are registered after 1st December 2003.
If your father's name was put on your birth certificate before 1st December 2003, he will not have parental responsibility unless he has either been married to your mother or he has obtained it by court order or agreement. If your father's name was not on the birth certificate before 1st December 2003, he can apply with your mother’s agreement to re-register your birth.
Can anyone else hold Parental Responsibility?
Yes. If you move to live with a member of your family other than your parents (e.g. grandparents, aunt or uncle or older brother or sister) or with someone else, those persons may obtain Parental Responsibility for you if the court gives them a Residence Order or Special Guardianship Order If you become adopted then your adopted parents will hold Parental Responsibility.
Do social services have Parental Responsibility for me?
If you are on a care order, social services hold parental responsibility for you.
If you are 'looked after' by a local authority without a care order, either one or both of your parents will be the only ones with Parental Responsibility unless someone else has a Residence Order or a Special Guardianship Order in respect of you.
Are there any decisions social services cannot make about me when I am in Care, either on an Order or not?
Yes. These are as follows:-
Social services cannot change your name without taking certain steps (see section entitled Changing Your Name).
If you are the subject of a care order social services cannot give you consent to go abroad for more than a month without the consent of the court social services cannot arrange for you to go abroad for more than a month unless everyone who has Parental Responsibility for you agree, or the court makes an order.
Social services cannot make you change your religion;
You cannot be adopted without the agreement of your parents unless the court orders it
How long does parental responsibility last?
Your parents have Parental Responsibility until you are 18. The local authority has Parental Responsibility if there is a care order until you are 18 unless the order is discharged.
Other people who have Residence Orders have Parental Responsibility as long as the order lasts. Residence Orders run out at the age of either 16 or 18. Ask to see the order if you are unsure.
For further details about what the law says about children in care click on this link
The Role of Your Social Worker
Children's Social Services take the lead in planning the care provided to looked after children. Social workers will work closely with you and professionals from other agencies to ensure that children are provided with safe and effective care so as to promote positive outcomes.
Every Trafford looked after child will have a named social worker who will have a responsibility to make sure that plans are in place to ensure that the needs of the child are met. Children who are looked after on a long term basis will be provided with an allocated social worker from the Permanence Team. This team is a multi-agency team which includes professionals from a range of disciplines including social workers and health professionals. By working together we aim to improve the life chances of looked after children and care leavers.
For more information about the permanence team click on the link below –
http://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/children-in-care/children-in-care-permanence-team.aspx
What is Adoption?
Adoption is more than just living with another family. It means that legally you become a member of that family and that you no longer belong to your birth family. When the court makes an adoption order it usually changes your name to that of your new family. You will be able to discuss any proposed change of your name with your new family. If you become adopted your new parents will hold Parental Responsibility
If I am adopted, will I still be under a Care Order?
No. When you are adopted, you are no longer in care and your adoptive parents will be responsible for your care and for making decisions about your day to day life
I want to be adopted, but can I still see my birth family?
Adoption can mean that you do not see any of your birth family again, but it depends on each individual person's case. It is something you would need to think carefully about during the court proceedings and to tell people clearly who you would want to see, and how often. The older you are, the more the court will take notice of what you want. The court will usually ask the same Children's Guardian who made a report in the care proceedings to see you again and make another report.
I thought only babies could be adopted. Am I too old?
No. The court can make an adoption order at any time before your 18th birthday but in practice nearly all children who are adopted are under the age of 9 years.
How long does an adoption order last?
Forever. The legal effect is absolute and irrevocable. Unlike other orders relating to children an adoption order is for life.
Do I have to be adopted?
It can be a very big and difficult decision to make if you have to decide whether or not you wish to be adopted. You should talk to as many people as possible about it and you can ask for special counseling to help you make this decision.
For more Information about Adoption click on the link below, which will take you to ‘A Guide to Adoption for Children’.
http://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/adoption/docs/AdoptionGuideforChildren.pdf
What Is A Special Guardianship Order?
A Special Guardianship Order is similar to an Adoption Order in that it gives the person caring for you the right to make decisions about what happens to you. It is different from an Adoption Order in that it only lasts until you are 18 and you will not lose your legal rights with your birth family, e.g. contact. Your Special Guardian may be given permission to change your name.
If I am under a Special Guardianship Order will I be subject to a Care Order?
No. If a Special Guardianship Order is made you will not be in care although the local authority who held the Care Order may be supporting your placement.
What is a Residence Order?
A Residence Order can be made by a court under the Children Act 1989. This specifies who the child lives with and gives the carer shared parental responsibility. The order may be full or shared between two parties who do not live together. In this case the court will specify the period of time that the child will spend with each party. The Residence Order will not affect the child’s legal relationship with their parents nor will it take away their
Residence Order without having to get anyone else’s agreement, unless the court has directed otherwise. However, no one who has a Residence Order may take the child abroad for more than a month or change the child’s surname unless everyone with parental responsibility agrees in writing or the court gives permission.
What is a Care Plan and is it important?
While you are living away from home, it is important that everyone does as much as they can to make sure that you are happy and healthy.
Care Plans are made when you are first looked after; it says what we are trying to do for you and why you are being looked after. The Care Plan is a written document which must include information about:
• Where you are staying and who with • Health
• Education
• Race, religion and culture
• Contact with your parents and family
You, your social worker and your parents will be involved in making the plan. The plan will cover things like: what you need to be looked after properly, where you will go to school and who you will see or have contact with. It is very important that the plan takes into consideration your views. You may not always get what you want but if you don't, the reasons should always be carefully explained to you. Social services should then follow the plan once the Care Order is made.
Your care plan is reviewed at every looked After Children’s Statutory Review to make sure it still meets your needs.
Statutory Reviews: What is a Review meeting?
A Review meeting is your meeting, about you. A first review meeting must take place within 20 days of when you started to be looked after. The 2nd review should take place within 3 months of the first review and after that reviews must take place at least every 6 months.
The review meeting is chaired by an independent reviewing Officer. At the meeting social services have to think about how you are getting on, how you are being Looked after and who you are seeing.
We also have to think about whether there should be any changes in how you are being looked after, and whether your Care Plan should be changed. The meeting will also look to see if your Care Plan has been carried out and if things are happening within the timescales which were set in the Plan. We need to ask your opinions and take them into account at your review. You may hear people call your review a "LAC review".
Who comes to the Review meeting?
The review meeting is chaired by an Independent Reviewing Officer. Usually you, your social worker and your foster carer or key worker, will be at the meeting. Other people may be invited like your parents, other close relatives or friends who may be important to your care plan and any other important people like your teacher.
You will be asked who you think should be invited and we will take this into account. If you are worried about who will be there you should talk to your social worker. You can also talk to your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), who is independent from your case and who will make sure people do everything that they should for you.
If there are serious problems with your Care Plan and what is happening to you, the Independent Reviewing Officer will speak to your social worker's manager at first, and if necessary will refer your case to Cafcass. Cafcass stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
Cafcass is an organisation which is independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies. Your reviewing officer can refer your case to Cafcass if they do not think that your care plan is properly meeting your needs and Cafcass can intervene. For more information about Cafcass click on the link below -
How will I be involved in the review meeting?
Before the meeting, the Reviewing Officer who chairs the meeting will talk to you to ask if you have any views you want to share with other people coming to the meeting. They will support you and give you the opportunity to talk at the meeting.
We want you to come to your review meeting so that you will have a chance to tell people about anything you want to happen, or anything that you are not happy about. If you find it difficult to talk in front of so many people, you can write down what you want to say and give it to your social worker before or during the meeting. You can also ask for someone to come and support you and help you say things that are important to you. You could ask a friend or someone you trust to support you at the review or you can ask for the support of Trafford’s Children’s Rights Service and ask them to support you at the review meeting. The contact details of the Trafford’s Children’s Rights Service are detailed below –
Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officer) Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
You can also ask for the support of NYAS who are the National Youth Advocacy Service. All looked after children have the right to be supported by an advocate at their reviews. NYAS can provide you with an advocate who will either support you or speak up for you. The contact details for NYAS are listed below –
NYAS telephone Number: 0800 616101 Email: help@nyas.net)
You can also ask your social worker or carer to contact NYAS for you
Further information on the work of NYAS can be found by clicking the link below – http://www.nyas.net
Can I see notes of the review meeting?
Yes - the notes are called the minutes and you will be given a copy unless there is a good reason why not and this will be explained to you.
What Happens if I Don't Get On With My Social Worker?
This can be a problem because you need to have very good reasons before a change of social worker might be considered. An example of a good reason might be that you are not able to talk to your social worker about things that are important to you. If you feel that you cannot discuss important matters with your social worker, you should talk about this at your Review or ask to speak to your social worker's Manager.
What can I do if I am really unhappy in my current placement?
If you are really unhappy in the placement where you live you should talk to your social worker. You can ask to see your social worker alone because it is social services job to make sure you are being looked after in the best possible way. If you cannot talk to your social worker, or the social worker has not agreed that you should move and you are still unhappy you should think things over and then perhaps try to talk to your social worker again. If you wish to speak to an independent person about your wishes and feelings then you can contact either Mark Bailey or Stacey Milward (Advocacy and Engagement Officers).
Mark and Stacey’s contact details are – Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Contacting my social worker
Your social worker will provide you with a telephone number and email contact details or you can visit your social worker at his or her office address which will be provided to you.
If you need to contact your social worker and he/she is not available you can speak to a duty social worker. If the duty social worker is also busy when you telephone then we promise that they will return your call as soon as possible and that they will contact you on the same day. If the matter is really urgent you can ask to speak to the social worker’s manager.
Social workers who work with looked after children generally only work Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30 pm. If you need to speak to a social worker urgently outside of these hours you can contact Trafford’s Emergency Duty Team on 0161 912 2020.
Being in care and rules where you live
Whether you live with a foster family or in a children's home, there will be rules for everybody who lives there. Here are some questions from young people in care about behaving well and about rules.
Can my carers tell me off?
Yes. You can be told off for behaving inappropriately or for breaking the rules. We will help you to behave well by encouraging and rewarding positive behaviour and by discussing your behavior with you. We understand that sometimes we all can behave inappropriately because of how we feel or what has happened to us in the past. But we will try to help you to learn to behave well and to respect the rights of those around us.
What else can happen if I behave inappropriately? You will be asked to talk about what has happened; You can be asked to give back things you have taken;
Be asked to do extra jobs around the house to show you are sorry; Carers can use time out;
You can be told to go to bed early;
If you were expecting treats, like a trip out or special food or an activity these can be delayed;
You can be grounded for short periods of time. This is when your carers tell you that you are not allowed to leave the home without permission, for example to go out with your friends or to an activity after school.
Most importantly good behaviour will be encouraged and praised
What will not happen Our carers will not:
Not give you food or drink;
Stop you from having your arranged contact (but see Contact);
Make you wear special clothes as a punishment, or make you take your clothes off if they think you have taken things;
Not give you your medicines as a punishment, or give you extra medicines when you do not need them;
Lock you in your room or in the home; Lock you out of your home;
Stop you from sleeping or wake you early in the morning;
Make you pay a fine (except when you have been to Court and been fined there)
If I do not agree with the way I have been treated?
You should first talk to your social worker, but you could also talk to an independent person such as a Children's Rights Worker.
Trafford Children’s Rights Officers is Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officers).
Marks contact details are – Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
If you feel that you want to make a complaint about the way you have been treated please see the section on How to make a complaint
Contact with Friends or Family
What is contact?
Contact is the word used to describe seeing or speaking to members of your family or friends. It can include seeing members of your family (known as direct contact) or speaking to them on the telephone, or writing to them by letter or email.
What is a Contact Order?
A Contact Order is when the court makes decisions about how often you should see or speak to a particular person. This would usually be members of your family but could in certain circumstances relate to friends. A Contact Order may also say when and where you should see a particular person. A Contact Order can also say that you should not see a particular person.
How Much Contact Can I have?
If there is no Contact Order in place then your social worker should make sure that there is reasonable contact between you and members of your family and any important friends. Your Care Plan should state who you are going to see and roughly how often. You must be consulted about this. The amount of visits will depend on your particular case. For example, if your family is very far away, you will not be able to see them as often as if they were nearby.
What if I want contact with someone not mentioned in my Care Plan?
You should discuss this with your foster carers or staff at your children's home. If there is any uncertainty about whether you should have contact they (or you) should contact your social worker.
What if my family does not want to see me?
Where contact is appropriate your social worker will do all they can to encourage your family maintain contact with you. You should discuss your feelings about this with your social worker or carers.
What if I don't want to see my family?
If you want contact to stop with your family you should discuss your feelings about this with your social worker.
Do I have to see a parent who has been violent to a member of my family but not to me?
Violence in your family can be very scary even if you are not the one who has been hit. If you feel worried about seeing a parent who has been violent, it is very important that you tell your social worker.
Can I be made to see my family?
When the court has ordered that you should have contact with particular members of your family the only way to change this order is to go back to court to ask for the court to make a different order. You should discuss any worries about seeing any members of your family with your social worker or your solicitor.
What if I am not satisfied with the number of times I can see someone or with the arrangements for seeing a particular person?
You should discuss this with your social worker. If you are still not satisfied you may also discuss your feelings about contact with a Children's Rights Officer.
Trafford Children’s Rights Officer is Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officer). Marks contact details are listed below -
Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
You can also ask for support about contact issues from NYAS who are the National Youth Advocacy Service. All looked after children have the right to be supported by an advocate. NYAS can provide you with an advocate who will either support you or speak up for you. The contact details for NYAS are listed below:
NYAS telephone Number 0800 616101 or email help@nyas.net) You can also ask your social worker or carer to contact NYAS for you
For further information on the work of NYAS can be found by clicking the link below http://www.nyas.net/
What is supervised contact?
they are worried you may become upset during the visit or that your family may say or do something that will hurt or upset you. This is called 'supervised contact'. Sometimes another adult will come along just to see how the visits are going, to make sure they are taking place in a way that makes them enjoyable for you.
Can I see my family without someone supervising?
If you feel uncomfortable having another person present, it is important to talk to your social worker about this. When you are on a Care Order and there is disagreement about the need for supervision, you, your social worker or your parents can ask the court to decide what the best arrangements are for your visits.
What kind of contact will I have if I am accommodated?
The court has no power to make contact orders when you are not on a care order. All contact arrangements must be agreed between social services and your family and your wishes and feelings about the people you wish to see must be considered.
What do I need to get permission for?
Can I stay overnight with a friend?
You should ask permission from your foster carer (or key worker if you live in a children's home) who will usually be able to make the decision. This may depend on any agreements that have been made with your social worker. Your foster carer or key worker should check out the arrangements with the people with whom you wish to stay and ensure that contact telephone numbers are available. In certain circumstances your carer may need to consult your social worker before giving you consent to spend overnights at friends.
Can I go away on a school trip or go camping?
You can go on school trips and you should speak to either your carer or social worker so that they can arrange for consent for the trip to be given to the school.
Do I need permission to go abroad?
social worker will need to give you consent to travel abroad before you can make the trip.
Passports
All children who are the subject of a care order or who are in long term care will be provided with a passport
Can I ask my GP to put me on 'the pill' or get condoms for me without telling my social worker?
You can discuss contraception with your doctor but it may not be confidential. A doctor is allowed to arrange contraception for anyone, even if she is under 16, without telling her parents or social worker, if the doctor thinks she is able to make her own decisions about this. You can obtain family planning services through your doctor or family planning clinic and special clinics are sometimes held for young people. Free condoms are often available at Family Planning Clinics and Doctors' Surgeries. You can discuss issues relating to sexual health and contraception with one Trafford’s Community Nurse for Children in Care.
The names and contact details of Trafford’s Community nurses are listed below. Sharon Martin, Community Nurse - Children in Care
Telephone 0161 912 3518
Fax 0161 969 2036
Email Address sharon.martin@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Elaine Sherard, Staff Nurse for Children in Care Telephone 0161 912 2819
Email Address elaine.sherard@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
At what age is it lawful to have sex?
You should know that it is against the law for anyone to have sex i.e. sexual intercourse under the age of 16.
Can I marry under a Care Order?
You can marry when you are 16, but if you are 16 or 17 years old you must have permission of one or both of your parents. If you are under a Care Order, social services will also have to agree. If your social worker does not agree to you marrying, you could ask the court to make an order allowing you to marry. You need to consult your solicitor about this. Trafford’s Children Rights Service can help you to access a solicitor.
Trafford Children’s Rights Officers are Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officers). Marks contact details are listed below –
Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Can I get a tattoo or a body piercing?
If you are under 14, you will need the permission of those with Parental Responsibility (i.e. social services, your mother and/or father) for all types of body piercing and tattoos. If you are over 14, then you will still need permission for tattoos and some types of body piercing. You should always think carefully about it and perhaps discuss it with your foster carer, key worker, social worker or with the Community Nurses for looked after children. If your social worker doesn't agree, raise it at your review or you can discuss it with a Children’s Rights Officer.
Trafford Children’s Rights Officers are Mark Bailey and Stacey Millward (Advocacy and Engagement Officers). Mark and Stacey’s contact details are listed below – Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Am I allowed to keep my letters and emails private?
Strictly speaking, you do not have to show your letters or emails to anyone else unless the court decides this. If you find letters or emails distressing it might be better to talk about them with your carer or a social worker.
Can I follow my religion?
Yes your social worker should help you in making sure you can follow your religious beliefs whilst under a Care Order and arrangements for helping you to follow your religion should be included on your Care Plan. This may include:
Going to a particular place of worship;
Going to special classes for religious instruction; Going to a particular school;
Wearing your traditional dress, rather than western clothes; Not having your hair cut;
Eating, or not eating, certain foods.
Do I have to follow my foster family's religion?
You cannot be made to follow a religion which is not your religion or the religion of your family.
Being Placed in Secure Accommodation
What is secure accommodation?
This is accommodation where you are placed in a Children’s Homes which is kept locked and you are prevented from leaving.
Who can be placed in secure accommodation?
Only children or young people aged between 13 and 18 who are in care or accommodated by social services can be placed in secure accommodation. Young people aged 16 or over can only be placed in a secure children’s home if they are subject to a care order and in very special circumstances.
Can I be forced to go into secure accommodation?
Yes, but the social services can only make you stay in secure accommodation for 72 hours (3 days) without the court's permission. If social services think that you need to stay in secure accommodation longer, they will have to ask the Court to make an Order giving them permission to keep you there for a longer period.
Why might social services want to keep me in Secure Accommodation?
There may be a number of reasons, for example, you may have run away from a placement and there may be concerns that you are at risk of danger from other people. Placing a child in a secure children’s home will be a very last resort and will only happen when all other options have been tried.
Can I speak to my solicitor?
Yes. Your social worker will help you to contact your solicitor as soon as an application is made to the court or you are placed in a Secure Unit before you go to court. You are entitled to speak to your solicitor before an order is made, if you want.
Is there anyone else I can contact?
Yes, you can ask to speak to Trafford’s Children’s Rights Officers, whose names and contact details are provided below,
Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officers). Mark’s contact details are listed below –
Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Postal Address: Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
You can also speak to the National Youth Advocacy Service who can help you to be heard NYAS can be contacted on 0800 616101 or email help@nyas.net). You can also ask your social worker or carer to contact NYAS for you
For further information on the work of NYAS can be found by clicking the link below http://www.nyas.net/
The Court and Secure Accommodation: What happens at Court?
If social services feel you need to stay in secure accommodation they will apply to the Court for an Order giving them permission to keep you there. You should have your solicitor there. You are entitled to be in court at the hearing unless the judge feels you will cause trouble, but this will depend on the judge. The Court will appoint a Children's Guardian to report to the Court about your interests. The Court will decide whether you can be kept in secure accommodation. Your solicitor will be able
to help you with any problems you have when you are in secure children’s home, even after the order is made.
The Court cannot make an order unless you have a chance to talk to a solicitor if you want one.
How long can the Court make me stay in secure accommodation?
On the first application the Court can make an order for up to 3 months. After this, the Court can allow the social services to keep you in secure accommodation for up to 6 months at a time.
How does the Court decide whether the social services should be allowed to keep me in secure accommodation?
The Court can make a Secure Accommodation Order when –
A young person has a history of running away and is likely to run away from any other kind of home or children's unit and when running away places him/herself in danger; or
If the young person is not kept in secure accommodation, he/she is likely to injure themselves or other people.
You cannot be placed in secure accommodation for running away only. The Court has to be satisfied that you are at risk of significant harm when you run away. Secure accommodation is used for the purposes of protecting you or others from you, not for the purposes of punishing you.
Can I still see my family and friends?
Your social worker should arrange for you to see your family and important friends. If you are not satisfied with these arrangements suggested by your social worker you should contact your solicitor (see section on Contact).
There will be regular meetings while you are in secure accommodation, when issues like these can be raised. At these meetings you can discuss whether or not you should still be in secure accommodation, plans for the future, as well as who you can
Education
Will I still be able to go to school?
The social services must make sure that you can receive education whilst you are in secure accommodation.
Help with your education
All children in care will have a written Personal Education Plan which is known as a PEP. The PEP is a written document which describes the support that you will receive to enable to you to achieve educational success. The PEP is written by your social worker on consultation with you and your teachers.
Looked after children can be provided with special support which might include:
Specialist tuition
Access to private tutors
Help with books and materials
Help with the provision of laptops and other IT equipment where this is necessary
You can discuss the support that you need with your education with social worker, at the review or with Trafford’s Virtual Looked After children Head.
The Virtual Head for Looked after Children has special responsibility for developing and implementing plans which will help children in care to get the best education possible. A key part of the work of the Virtual Head is talking to schools and other key professional about the individual support needs of looked after children. If you want the help of the virtual head you can speak to your social worker or you can contact the Virtual yourself.
The current Virtual Head’s name and contact details are listed below – Lynsey Burridge, YOS Education Officer
Telephone 0161 911 8210
Fax 0161 911 8202
Help with going to college and the 16 plus Bursary
If you are a looked after child, are above school age and you are completing a further period of study, then you will be eligible a 16+ Bursary. This is a significant amount of money which you can use to assist with your studies.
Your PA or social worker will discuss the bursary with you and you can also speak to your education provider (e.g. school or college) to find out how to claim the bursary.
The Department for Education have produced a 16 to 19 guide to Bursaries which can be found by clicking on the link below –
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/31277 5/EFA_Advice_for_young_people_16_to_19_Bursary_Fund.pdf
Health
Support with your health needs
When children first become looked after they are given an opportunity to have a full medical assessment by a GP. This assessment helps to identify any support you may need to remain well and healthy. After the first assessment looked after children have an annual health assessment which helps to ensure that children stay fit and well. In addition to these assessments you will be registered with a local GP, local Dentist and Optician and you will be supported to access dental and medical treatment by your carer and social worker.
Trafford’s Community Nurses service for children in care
Trafford has two specialist community nurses for looked after children. These nurses arrange and complete health assessments of looked after children and can provide you with a range of advice and support about your health including issues relating to:
Drug use
Sexual health
Alcohol use
Your growth and development
You will meet the community nurses when they visit you to complete your annual health assessment but you can contact them at any time during office hours. The contact details of the Looked after Children Community Nurses are provided below.
Sharon Martin, Community Nurse - Children in Care Telephone 0161 912 3518
Email Address sharon.martin@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH Elaine Sherard, Staff Nurse for Children in Care
Telephone 0161 912 2819
Email Address elaine.sherard@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Trafford’s CAMHS Team Help with your emotional health:
CAMHS is short for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. The dedicated CAMHS team is available to support you with issues relating to:
Your feelings
Emotional health
Mental health
Recovery from any trauma that you have experienced
Trafford’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health team can provide therapy to children and young people who have emotional and psychological difficulties. If your social worker feels that you may benefit from their support then they will discuss this with you and make a referral to Trafford’s CAMHS. If you feel that you need the support of CAMHS then you should discuss this with your social worker.
You can also contact CAMHS directly and their address and contact details are listed below.
The CAMHS team recognise that children in care sometimes face special emotional difficulties and they aim to:
1. Improve the recognition of distress and psychological problems amongst looked after children
2. To provide direct psychological support to children in care 3. To assist in the development of quality care, including
facilitating attachment relationships and improving specialist parenting skills.
The CAMHS teams try to help children and young people to process and make sense of their life events and they can help children to build their resilience and improve their life circumstances. The CAMHS team has produced a leaflet about improving emotional strength which you might want to read. Click on the link below to read the leaflet.
http://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/children-in-care/docs/promoting-resilience.pdf
The leaflet is called Promoting Emotional Resilience. If you need help to understand the content of the leaflet you can talk to your carer or social worker.
If you want to contact CAMHS team their details are provided below –
Steph Jamieson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist - CAMHS Lead for Children in Care Telephone 0161 912 3505
Email Address steph.jamieson@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Ruth Goldwyn, Clinical Psychologist for Children in Care Telephone 0161 912 3378
Email Address ruth.goldwyn@trafford.gov.uk
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
Money Matters: Financial support to looked after children
The Junior Individual Savings Account (Junior ISA)
account and additional money can be paid into this account from other organizations. You will receive the money that is in your individual savings account when you are 18 years old.
More information about the Junior ISA can be found by clicking on the link below – https://sites.google.com/site/sharefound/home/what-is-a-junior-isa
Opening a bank account
All children in care will be encouraged to open a bank account and your carer or social worker will explain and support you to do this.
Pocket Money
All children in care will receive weekly pocket money. How much pocket money you get and how it is paid depends on where and with whom you live. As with all families, the amount of pocket money and how it is paid varies.
Allowances
All children in care will receive Christmas and birthday allowances and all children when they reach 18 years old will receive a special birthday present to mark their new status as an adult
Access to Your Social Care File
Why do we keep records about you?
Your social worker needs to keep records of your time in care which contain information about where you have lived ,placements, your education ,health and family history so that in future they can look back and see what has happened to you and have a record of your time in care. If there is a change of social worker your new social worker can look on your file and find out about you. The social worker also keeps notes of visits with you and of meetings about you. We also collect information about how we work with you so we can see where we need to improve. In Trafford all of your records are kept on an electronic case file. Access to these records is
restricted to a limited number of professionals. Only professionals who have been given a secure password can access your files and this means that your records are kept confidential and secure.
Can I see my file?
Yes, the law says that if you are of a sufficient age and understanding that you have a right to see personal information held about you unless we think it would be harmful to you or another person. If we decide you cannot see your social care records then your social worker will explain why you cannot see them
18th Birthday Allowances
All young people in care will receive an 18th Birthday present equivalent to the value of £172.00.
How can I get to see my file?
If you would like to see your social care file records you must submit a written and signed request saying that you are requesting access to your records under the Data Protection Act 1998. This request can be given or posted to your Social Worker or you can send the request to Trafford’s Multi Agency Referral and Assessment Team.
The contact details for MARAT are provided below: Referral & Assessment Team (MARAT)
Telephone 0161 912 5125 Fax 0161 912 5056
Email Address MARAT@TRAFFORD.GOV.UK
Based At Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH
You’re PA, social worker, foster carer or key worker can help you to complete this written request. You should be given access to your file within 40 calendar days although it can sometimes take a longer time to organize this. If we think it will take longer than 40 calendar days we will contact you and explain the cause of the delay.
documents to you. If they say no, then we will tell you and explain to you what you can do if you want to complain about this. If there is information on your file about other people, for example about your parents or other members of your family then we must ask them for their permission to tell you. We will ask you if you want us to do this.
Who else can see my file?
Other people who believe there may be information about them in your file may ask to see anything on the file that relates specifically to them, for example sometimes parents want to see information that is contained on files about them. If your parents ask to see your file; if you are old enough we will ask you whether you agree to this and we will take your views into account. We may allow them to see parts of your file if we believe it is in your best interests. If there is information on your file which is just about them then the law says they are allowed to see it
Can I see my file after I have left care?
Yes if you have been looked after by us we have to keep our records about you until you are 75 years old! You have the right to see your records even if you are no longer under a Care Order or if you are no longer receiving a service from the aftercare team.
This link provides information and a useful guide to your rights relating to viewing your social care records – http://www.careleavers.com/cla-lcg
You’re Rights: What the Government say you are entitled to as a Looked after Child
The Department for Education are responsible for developing plans for services to children in care and care leavers. They recently published a guide for children in care which describes the services that children in care are entitled to receive. A copy of this document is provided below or you can find the document by visiting the DfE website by clicking on the following link –
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/e/20120514_lac%20entitlements%20le aflet.pdf
How do I make a complaint?
If you have a complaint you can telephone, write or email the relevant manager and explain why you want to make a complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive or you want the complaint to be investigated by an independent person you should send your complaint to the address below:
Trafford CYPS,
Compliance and Governance, Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road Stretford M32 0TH
You can make your complaint by email using the email address below – complaintscyps@trafford.gov.uk
You can also make your complaint by telephone by contacting Steve Byrom, Compliance and Governance Officer, on 0161 912 4698. The email address of Steve Byrom is – Steven.Byrom@trafford.gov.uk
If you make a complaint about a decision that is made in respect of you, the
decision will be frozen whilst the complaint is investigated. Of course, the
decision may well not alter, but the key point is that a child is given the chance
to have their voice heard before final decisions are made.
The Trafford Children’s Rights Officer
If you are a child in care and you wish to speak to an independent person about the service that you are receiving or you want help to make a complaint then you can contact Mark Bailey (Advocacy and Engagement Officers) on –
Telephone: 0161 912 5094
Email Address: mark.bailey@trafford.gov.uk
Complaints to Ofsted
Ofsted regulate social care services in England, such as children’s homes, residential family centres and fostering and adoption services. If you feel that you want to make a complaint directly to Ofsted then the details of how to contact Ofsted are provided below –
Ofsted: 0300 123 1231
Ofsted National Business Unit Piccadilly Gate
Store Street Manchester M1 2WD
Enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted have produced a guide about how to register concerns and complaints which can be found by clicking on the following link –
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/concerns-and-complaints-about-social-care-providers
Trafford’s Pledge to Children in Care
Trafford Council Have Made a Pledge to Children in Care
This pledge is a promise made by Trafford Children and Young People’s Service to all Trafford children in care and care leavers. All adults who work for and with Trafford CYPS share a responsibility for helping children and young people in care to stay safe and healthy, enjoy life, and achieve their goals.
Being healthy
We will give you advice and support about how to stay fit and healthy
We will make sure that you have someone to talk to about your physical and emotional health, if you want to
We will make sure you are able to attend medical appointments, including regular dental and other health checks
We will provide you with information, advice and guidance about healthy living, diet and exercise
We will make sure that you are given opportunities to enjoy sports and leisure activities
We will support you to follow your religion if you want to Staying safe and settled
We will find you a home where you feel safe, cared about and are treated well We will do our best to give you a choice about where you live
We will not move you from your placement without very good reasons for doing so and we will always ask you for your views about any change
We promise that you will have a social worker who will get to know you well and listen to what you say
We won’t change your social worker without good reason
We will help you stay in touch with your family and friends if it’s in your best interests
Getting the best from your education
We will make sure that you have a place at the best possible school
We will draw up a Personal Education Plan with you to help you to do the best that you possibly can in your education
We will do what your Personal Education Plan says we should do We will help and encourage you to follow your hobbies, and to have fun
We will make sure that you have access to computers and other materials that will help you in your education
We will provide extra support with your studies if you need it We will help you to learn English if it’s not your first language Making a positive contribution
We will involve you in decisions that are made about your life
We will listen to your views about the service and tell you how your opinions influence the decisions we make
We will make sure that you are able to speak to someone quickly and easily, when you contact us
We will make sure that you know how to complain if you are not happy about the services that you receive
We will respond quickly to any complaints that you make We will give you an independent visitor if you want one We will celebrate your achievements
We will involve children and young people in the recruitment of staff who work with children in care
Preparing for independence
We will make sure that you have an acceptable amount of pocket money
We will open a savings account for you, if you have been in care for more than a year, and make agreed payments into your account for you
We will draw up a Pathway Plan with you and identify what support you will need before you leave care
We will do what the Pathway Plan says we should do
We will help you to learn how to budget, cook, clean and other independent living skills
We will support you if you choose to move on to further or higher education
We will provide you with good careers advice and help you to apply for jobs and to access training
We will help you find somewhere suitable to live and support you after you have left care
Useful Contacts and Resources
The list below provides the contact details of organizations that you might want to contact for support or advice
The NSPCC Childline
Childline is the free national 24 hour telephone help line for any child in trouble or danger. It is a confidential counseling service which offers information and help to children and young people. You can email Childline, go on-line chat and also text
them, all from their website Child Line. The contact details for childline are provided below:
Telephone: 0800 1111 (24 hour Free phone) Website: www.childline.org.uk
Maggie Atkinson is the Children's Commissioner for England.
She has a legal duty to promote and protect the rights of all children in England with a particular focus on children and young people with difficulties or challenges in their lives, and in particular those living away from home, in or leaving care, or receiving social care services.
Her work focuses on making sure that adults in charge, or making decisions, listen to what children and young people say about things that affect them. She encourages adults, including the people making decisions about children's lives, always to take their rights, views and interests into account. She brings matters that affect children and young people's rights to the attention of Parliament, local government and others.
What to do if you would like advice, guidance and assistance:
If you are child or young person who lives away from home or who receives social care, who needs advice or assistance, you can call us on the free phone number 0800 528 0731 or email to –
advice.team@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
Adults representing children or young people who need advice or assistance and who live away from home or who receive social care services can also get in touch using these contact details.
Find out more about how we can help you here
We would like to recommend that you try and get your questions answered by adults who work directly with you or your local advocacy service for children in care before contacting us but if you can't do this or you they have not been properly answered do contact us.
If your enquiry involves an urgent concern about a child protection issue, you should contact your local police or social services. Adults can also call the NSPCC child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline on 0800 1111.
The National Youth Advocacy Service
All looked after children have the right to be supported by an independent person. NYAS can provide you with an advocate who is a person who will either support you or speak up for you.
There are several ways that the NYAS Helpline can be contacted:
Freephone Helpline – call 0808 808 1001 (
Some mobile networks may
charge the same as a landline to connect to 0808 numbers
)
Chat room – visit www.nyas.net to talk online to a NYAS advisor.
Email – help@nyas.net.
Writing – Write NYAS Freepost on the envelope.
The Helpline is open: 9am until 8pm weekdays, 10am until 4pm Saturdays,
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
The National Care Advisory Service NTCAS
The National Care Advisory Service (NCAS) is a national body which provides a range of useful resources and information materials to children in care and care leavers to care leavers. To visit the National Leaving Care Organisation click on the link below –
http://leavingcare.org/about_care_and_leaving_care
The Department for Education Guide for Care Leavers
The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for developing policies and plans for children in care and care leavers. They have published a guide for care leavers which describes the services young people leaving care are entitled to receive. A copy of this document is provided below or you can find the document by visiting the DfE website by clicking on the following link –
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/e/20120514_care%20leavers%20entitl ements%20leaflet.pdf
Young Minds
Young Minds is committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people and empowering their parents and carers.
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Catch 22
Catch 22 works with young people who are in or leaving custody, involved in or on the fringes of crime, out of work, struggling at school, homeless or facing young parenthood without the safety net of a supportive family. Catch 22 offer practical support services which are flexible, highly personalised and often intensive. This enables young people to reach their full potential and achieve lasting change.
Website: http://www.catch-22.org.uk/
Need2know
Need2know provide information on: • Health
• Money
• Work and leisure • Sex and relationships • Housing and much more
Website: http://www.need2know.co.uk/
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The CAB helps people to resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice and influencing policy makers. Some branches can provide legal advice on immigration and asylum cases.
Telephone: 08708 408 0808 Email: enquiry@cabline.org
Missing People
Missing People is a charity that works with young people runaways, missing and unidentified people, their families and other people who care for them.
They have a free, 24hour, confidential phone service for anyone who has run away from home or care, or been forced to leave home.
Freephone: 116 000 Text: 116 000
Email: 116000@missingpeople.org.uk
Website: http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/how-we-can-help/young-people.html
Howard League
Free, independent and confidential advice, assistance and representation on a wide range of issues to young people under 21 in custody.
Telephone: 020 7249 7373 Email: info@howardleague.org
Website: http://www.howardleague.org/
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
Civil Legal Advice (CLA) is a free and confidential advice service in England and Wales paid for by legal aid. If you are living on a low income or benefits, you may be eligible for free specialist advice from legal advisers on issues including:
• Benefits and tax credits • Debt
• Education • Housing • Employment • Family problems
The advice is independent and confidential. Civil Legal Advice will ask you questions about your problem and find out what help you need. You will be asked a number of questions about your finances to see if you are eligible for legal aid. Civil Legal Advice has a free translation service available in 170 languages.
Telephone: 0845 345 4 345
