lookedafterchild – 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 have to change School if I am put in Trust accommodation?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:44:30 +0000

Your social worker will try to make sure that you stay in the same school. However, this is not always possible and sometimes you may have to move school if for example, you live too far away.

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.

What is a Guardian Ad Litem?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:40:27 +0000

A Guardian Ad Litem is someone who is appointed by the Court to look after your rights and interests during cases where social services are seeking an order, such as a Care Order or in contested Adoption cases.

Do I get any say in where I go?

inico Admin — Thu, 14 May 2020 14:38:33 +0000

You are entitled to support so that you understand any care plans and decisions that affect you. You may be given an opportunity to speak in court, depending on what age you are and your understanding of the case. If you don’t want to go to court, your Guardian Ad Litem or solicitor can speak on your behalf.