Our support for children in care

What your social worker will do for you

Your social worker will try to help and support you in many ways.

They will:

  • work with you, your parents and carers to make plans for your future
  • spend time with you – helping with any problems you may have by offering you advice and support
  • go to all meetings about your care
  • listen to what you have to say, and help you put your views across at meetings and when decisions and plans are made
  • keep a record of everything that goes on while you are being looked after
  • be there for you if you want someone to talk to
  • make sure that you are being treated well by visiting you and your carers to make sure that you are OK and getting on well together
  • make sure you see the people you need, for example, a doctor
  • explain things to you and make sure you understand what is going on
  • help you to keep in touch with friends, relatives and family

When you will see your social worker

If you are staying with foster carers, your social worker will visit you within one week of you moving in, then at least every 4 weeks in the first year that you live there. After the first year your social worker may visit you less often but at least every 3 months. Your social worker should also visit you at any time if you ask to see them.

Where you will meet your social worker

By law, your social worker has to visit you from time to time where you live. Other meetings can be in other places, however, and you can suggest a meeting place to your social worker.

What you can expect from your social worker

You can expect your social worker to:

  • do everything they can to make sure there's as little disruption as possible to your education, by avoiding – wherever possible changes of school or placement
  • actively encourage your parents to get involved in your life, where it is safe to do so
  • set up a link between your school and your current carers
  • be responsible for making sure that information about your education, health, placement and achievements is provided at your review
  • be there when you need them