Advice

Lots of children and young people are living in care in the UK. Get clued-up on why kids are put into care, whose decision it is and the difference between a foster home, children's home and a care home...

What is it?

Living in care means you live in a care home (children's home) or with foster parents.

Why do people live in care?

Every case is different, but usually children and young people are put into care by Social Services if, for whatever reason, their parents can't look after them. Often it's only for a short time, but it can be more permanent.

How does it happen?

• A Care Plan would be made by you, your Social Worker and your parents, which would state where you'd be living.
• The plan would cover your needs, where you'd go to school and who you'd see from your family.
• A judge would then have to OK the plan after finding out what you thought of it.
• The Care Plan would then become a Care Order, which Social Services would follow.

What's the difference between a foster home, a children's home and a care home?

A foster home is a private home in which a child or teenager lives as part of the family, whereas lots of kids live in care homes and children's homes - which are run by the local council.

Who decides whether you'll live with foster parents or in a care home?

You, your social worker and a judge. Eg, if someone wanted to stay with their brothers and sisters, they might have to choose a care home. If someone wanted a more family-like atmosphere, they might choose to live with foster parents.