Understanding your needs
We want your time being looked after to be as trouble-free as possible. Before you go to live somewhere new we will make sure your carers know the most important things about you so they can look after you properly. This will include:
- where all your family members live and how to contact them
- whether there is anything about your health they need to know
- whether you have a disability
- whether there are any foods you cannot eat because of your religion or because they make you ill
- what your religion is and how important it is to you
- what languages you speak
- whether you use a form of communication other than speech, such as Makaton or British Sign Language
- which school you currently attend
- details of the schools you have been to in the past, any qualifications you have, or any achievements in things like sports, music or drama
- important documents like your birth certificate and where they are
- what your interests and hobbies are
We will try to place you with carers who are of the same background as you or who understand, respect and value your ethnic background, culture and religion.
If you have difficulties with English, we will make sure that:
- someone can interpret what is said at important meetings
- important documents are translated
Your culture
Your carers will understand and help you with things like:
- hair and skin care
- the food you normally eat
- the clothing you normally wear
- having enough contact with other young people and adults of the same background as you
They will know about and understand things like:
- what is and what is not considered polite or good behaviour in your culture
- the importance of cultural activities like music, dance and so on
Your religion
We will try to place you with a carer who has the same religion as you. If this isn't possible, we will find someone who will respect your religion, understand its practices, help you to follow them, and go with you to your place of worship. They will understand:
- foods you should never eat
- when you should fast (stop eating a particular food or all food for a period time), what you should not eat while fasting and what other things you should or shouldn't do during the fasting period
- what clothing and ways of dressing are acceptable for your religion
- how you are supposed to look after your hygiene and hair
- prayer, religious study, religious ceremonies and celebrating religious festivals