There are lots of reasons why some children live in foster care. You will get to know your reason by talking to your social worker. They will help you understand. We want you to remember it’s not your fault or something you have done.

Foster Carers have been hand-picked to make sure they are good people who care about the children they look after. They get lots of training about the needs of children and how they listen to children. They are welcoming and really want to get to know you, your likes and dislikes. 

Find out what some Foster Carers in Wakefield like to do here
Find out more about the Participation team here

When you first come into foster care, you might feel scared or upset, or even happy straight away because it’s all new. You soon start to settle in to your foster home and feel better. When you live in foster care for a bit longer you will have a ‘review’. This is a meeting about you and how you are getting on in your foster home. Your social worker will make a plan with you. This is called your ‘care plan’. Children can attend their reviews and say how they feel about being in foster care and what they think will help them to do well.

There is a whole team of people who will help your foster carer look after you and they want to listen to what you think, so you can get the best care. You will have a review at least every five months. The Mind of My Own App will help you have your say.

“I got to go on holiday with my carers.”

“I made new friends and get to see my brother and sister. I like everything about my foster carers.”

“My foster carers help me at school and I do Majorettes, Gymnastics, Art, Theatre and Martial Arts!”

“They help you to do stuff and teach you how to look after yourself like going to the dentist.”

School is very important because it’s where you learn about subjects, growing up, making new friends and allows you to take part in activities and hobbies after school. OK, sometimes you might find it boring BUT it can lead to great things.

Your teacher will know that you have gone to live with a foster carer, but it is your choice if you want to tell other people. If you have any problems, difficulties or are being bullied, you must tell your teacher, social worker or foster carer. Your foster carer will help you with homework, support you with any after school activities you want to do and will attend your parent’s evenings. Ask if there is anything you don’t understand. If you think something is unfair—tell your social worker, they will help you work things out.

Your foster carers will tell you how they expect you behave. Like looking after the home, being kind to others and following the rules. For example, they will have some rules about bedtime, going out, seeing friends, being polite and kind and trying hard at school.

We want to know if you have any problems at all, your carers and social workers are there to help. Talk to them, be honest, this is the best way to solve a problem. There are lots of other ways you can tell us what you think or if you are worried or want to make a complaint and can’t tell your social worker, foster carer or teacher. You or your carers can call advocacy on 01977 552493.

An advocate is someone who is not working for Children and Young People Services, so they can speak out for you. They will make sure everyone hears what you want. They can come and speak to you in private if you cannot talk about a worry to anyone else. We even have a complaints officer to help you work things out. Sometimes it is hard to tell people you live with that you are unhappy or that you do not like something that they do. If you want to talk to someone other than your carers you can call:  Children’s Complaints Officer: 01924 302840

Your foster carer is not allowed to hurt you in any way and neither is anyone else. If you are worried about anything at all, please don’t be afraid to speak up as there are lots of people who care about you and want to help. You have the right to talk directly to an organisation called Ofsted. These are really important numbers if you are unhappy and want to tell someone about it.