incare – Children's Law Centre

Will I be placed with my siblings?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:57:37 +0000

If your siblings are also subject of a Care Order then the Trust is responsible for keeping siblings together as long as it is possible to do so.

Can I stop being in care and move back in with my family?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:56:12 +0000

A Care Order lasts until you are 18. However, you can go to the court to ask for the judge to stop the order. Taking a child into care should normally be a temporary measure and should be stopped as soon as it is possible to do so. The Court is responsible for making sure that they try to reunite you with your family and enable regular contact as long as it is in your best interest.

Can I refuse family contact?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:54:25 +0000

Your social worker will try to allow you contact with your family, as long as this is in your best interest. However, if contact with your family does not appear to be in your best interest, the authorities will try to find a fair balance. You will be able to have a say about contact.

Can I have contact with anyone other than family?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:52:59 +0000

You have a right to have contact with anyone close to you, like your family, friends, neighbours, and previous carers, and this should be encouraged as long as it is practical or in your best interests. If it’s not possible for you to have contact, you should have access to information on the situation of your family members.

Can I have contact with my siblings?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:51:54 +0000

Under Article 9 of the UNCRC the Trust is required to try to maintain contact between you and your sibling or keep you with your siblings, as long as this is practical and in your best interest.

If I am in care, can I speak to my parents? When, how often, will it be supervised?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:50:13 +0000

As long as it’s practical and is your best interests, you should be able to contact your parents or any person who has parental responsibility, is a relative or a friend. This contact should be direct and on a regular basis, unless it’s not in your best interest.

Will I stay close to where I live?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:42:48 +0000

The Trust has a duty to place you near to your home, where it is possible to do so, so that you can have regular contact with your parents.

Is a Care Order temporary or permanent?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:36:36 +0000

Who decides if I need to have a Care Order?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:35:09 +0000

A Court will decide if you need to be placed under a Care Order. If the Order is made then you will be put under the care of your local Health and Social Care Trust. The Health and Social Care Trust will then have Parental Responsibility for you. They will decide what care is appropriate and will provide you with accommodation and care.

What is suitable accomodation?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:32:39 +0000

Trusts have a duty to provide accommodation for 16 and 17 year old young people who become homeless. The accommodation should be suitable for you based on your individual needs. Once you have been accommodated for 24 hours you become Looked After.