What is it?
Living in care means you live in a care home or with foster parents instead of with your 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 properly.
Often it's only a short-term thing, but sometimes it's more permanent.
How does it happen?
If you were going to be put into care, this is what would happen:
The following should help too:
• 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 decide.
For example, if someone wanted to stay with their brothers and sisters, they'd maybe have to choose a care home. If someone wanted a more family-like atmosphere, they might choose to live with foster parents.
Further help and advice
• anationalvoice.org
(run by and for care-experienced young people)
• rhrn.thewhocarestrust.org.uk
(all you need to know about being in care)
• nch.org.uk (expert advice
for children and young people)
Disclaimer: the BBC can't be held responsible for the content of external websites.
Pictures posed by models.
