Growing up in Care

What does being 'in care' mean?

Some children are not able to live with their families - this could be because their parents are ill or there are family problems. When this happens, the local council will 'look after' the child. The council will provide a social worker to help the child and their family sort out any problems. The child will live with a foster carer or in a children's home.

Who can you turn to?

Your carer:

Your carer may be your foster carer, social worker or key worker. They are responsible for your education and should make sure you're attending school and doing your homework. They may also be the person you choose to attend parents' evenings and to receive your school report.

Your teachers:

Hopefully, like a lot of young people you will find one teacher you get on particularly well with and who you can turn to if you have problems. However in addition to this, each school should have one teacher who has been chosen to have a special understanding of what it's like to be in care. They are there to make sure that you have any extra support you need, and to ensure your educational needs are being met.

How can you support a friend who is growing up in care?

A child in care has a review (a meeting to make sure they are happy) every six months. Encourage your friend to go to their review and say if they're unhappy about something, such as where they live. Children in care are more likely to change school and therefore may be prone to bullying. If this happens to your friend, you should try and stand up for them. If you are too scared to do this, then you should encourage your friend to tell a teacher or someone they trust. Get more advice on www.bullying.co.uk

Other support networks:

The Who Cares? Trust:

A national organisation that works to improve the lives of the 60,000 children in public care. It produces the Who Cares? magazine, which is the only national magazine for young people in care. It also runs the The Who Cares? Trust website.

A National Voice:

This organisation is run by and for young people in and leaving care. It was launched at the House of Commons in 1999 after young people lobbied Government.
A National Voice is the only national organisation that employs young people who've experienced living in care to make positive changes to the care system in England.

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