How will my foster carers look after me?
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 to listen to children. They are welcoming and really want to get to know you, your likes and dislikes.
Find out more about some of our foster carers in Wakefield here
💙 You have the right to be safe.
The adults caring for you should help you feel safe and looked after.
🗣️ You have the right to be listened to.
You can share your thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and adults should listen to what you say.
👨👩👧 You have the right to spend time with important people.
When it is safe, you can keep in touch with family and friends who matter to you.
📚 You have the right to learn and do your best at school.
You should get help and support with your learning.
🏃♀️ You have the right to be healthy.
You can get help from doctors, dentists, and other people who look after your health.
🌈 You have the right to be yourself.
People should respect who you are, your beliefs, your culture, and the things that are important to you.
🤝 You have the right to ask for help.
If something is worrying you, there are adults who can help and support you.
⭐ You have the right to have your voice heard.
The adults making decisions about your life should listen to your wishes and feelings.
- You will receive pocket money that you can spend each week or save.
- You will also get birthday, Christmas, or religious festival money for you to spend.
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 5 months.
There is an App to help you say what you’d like to say in your review. It’s called Mind of My Own. Your foster carer or social worker will help you tell the app how you feel about your care, what you like and what you don’t like.
And there is a booklet designed by other children in care to help you have a say in your review.
Am I going to see my family?
Yes – this will be in your care plan that is first agreed at Court. Your views are really important when making decisions around how much contact there should be. Only in exceptional circumstances is there no contact and this is usually around reasons such as safety.
Can I see dogs in family time?
They are really important family members. This can be discussed with your Social Worker and Karen at the Family Time team. Some children have met with their dogs at family time.
What happens if family time does not happen – who can I contact?
Your social worker should be able to tell you why family time does not happen. You can also contact your IRO or advocate. If there are care proceedings your Children’s Guardian will want to know if family time is not happening.
Will people be nice to me?
Yes! Foster carers are caring adults who want to help children feel safe, happy, and welcome. They will take time to get to know you, including your favourite things, hobbies, and what is important to you.
Will there be rules?
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.
What if I break the rules?
Every home has rules to help everyone feel safe and happy. Your foster carer will explain the rules to you and help you understand them. If mistakes happen, they will help you learn from them.
Will I have to help around the house?
You might be asked to help with small jobs, like tidying your room, putting toys away, or helping set the table. Everyone in the family helps out in different ways.
When can I have a mobile phone?
Every family has different rules about mobile phones. The adults caring for you will help decide what is best for you and make sure you stay safe online.
Can I have a mobile phone?
Many older children and teenagers have mobile phones to keep in touch with friends and family. Sometimes there may be rules about when and how you can use one, and these will be explained to you.
Will I have the things I need?
Yes. Your foster carer will make sure you have things like clothes, food, toiletries, books, and toys. If there is something you need, you can talk to them about it.
Can I have snacks when I'm hungry?
Every home has its own routines, but your foster carer will make sure you have plenty of healthy food and will listen if you are hungry.
Can I make my bedroom feel like my own?
Yes! Your bedroom is your special space. Your foster carer will help you make it feel comfortable with your favourite things, photos, toys, or bedding.
Can I stay with my foster carer's family?
Sometimes. If it is planned and safe, you may be able to stay overnight with family members or go on trips with them.
What happens to my things if I move?
The adults helping you will do their best to make sure your clothes, toys, and important belongings move with you to your new home as quickly as possible.
Can I use the internet, play games, or watch YouTube?
Usually, yes. Your foster carer will help you use the internet safely and may have some rules about when and how long you can use it. They want to help keep you safe while having fun.
Carers need to take you to see friends or if they do not drive they should pay for taxies (have a taxi/bus money jar). Can I have lifts to friends?
Foster carers will make sure you keep in contact with your friends, this might mean inviting your friends for tea, dropping you off at a friends or helping you with the bus fare to see them. Taxis are very expensive and so will not normally be provided.
Can I expect to be able to use public transport?
You will be encouraged to use public transport where safe and given support to learn independent travel.
Is there a list of activities you can have?
Foster carers will help you make a list of activities and where possible help you get to and take part in the ones you like to do.
If you have friends who live near and you want to go out on the block, carers should be clear of time to be in (age curfew).
Yes, It’s important for carers to know that you are safe and enjoying yourself. So, talk with them and stick to agreed times which may change at different times of the year and as always, the best thing to do is talk with your foster carer.
Can I go on school trips / trips with carer?
Yes.
Am I allowed to sleep out? Can I have sleepovers at friends / carers?
If planned, yes, with the permission of your foster carer who has made sure that you are safe.
Am I allowed to go out on an evening?
As ever your safety is the most important thing. Talk with your foster carers who will help you meet your friends and make sure you keep safe.
Am I allowed to sleep at a boyfriend/girlfriend/friend’s house?
Children under 16 would not be allowed to stay with boy/girlfriends. Sleepovers to be planned in advance and will be based on age and understanding. Foster carers and social workers can give consent for children/ young people to stay overnight at friends. Checks need to be made like a good parent would, such as speaking to the family, visiting the home and having some knowledge of the family.
What extra Maths / English tuition can I have?
Your school will decide this during your Personal Education Plan meetings.
How much is going to change?
Moving into care can feel like a big change. The adults helping you will work hard to find the best place for you and keep you updated about what is happening. Your thoughts and feelings are important, and you can help make decisions about your care.
How often will my social worker visit me?
Your social worker will come to see you regularly to check how you are doing, listen to you, and make sure you are happy, safe, and getting the support you need.
What is a care plan?
A care plan is a bit like a guide about how adults will help look after you. It includes important things such as where you live, your school, your health, family time, and how people will support you. It should include your wishes and feelings too.
Can I choose where my review meeting happens?
Yes! If you have somewhere you'd like your review meeting to be held, you can tell your social worker. The meeting needs to be somewhere private where everyone can talk comfortably.
Why does my social worker need to sign things?
Some activities, trips, or decisions need permission from certain adults. Your social worker helps make sure everything is agreed and safe for you.
Why can't my foster carer decide everything?
Your foster carer can make lots of everyday decisions, like planning fun activities, treats, and family routines. Some bigger decisions need to be made by other adults too, such as your social worker or parents, to make sure everyone is working together to help you.
What's the difference between foster care and residential care?
Foster care means living with a foster family in their home.
Residential care means living in a children's home with other children, where caring adults are there to support and look after you.
Both are there to help keep you safe, cared for, and supported.
Can I have tattoos?
Not until 18 years.
Can I have e-cigs?
Keeping healthy is really important so no. Foster carers will support and sign post you to services so you can avoid becoming addicted to nicotine.
Can I paint my nails any colour I like? What hair styles / colours can we have?
It’s important to have your own identity and this is encouraged. As always talk with your foster carers. There may be different rules for schools.
Piercings – what can I have? What age can you have piercings (not just ears)?
Children in care should be granted the same permissions to take part in normal age appropriate activities as would be reasonably granted by the parents of their peers. If children wish to have a piercing they are able to ask their Foster Carer and Social Worker and who would make the decision based their age/maturity/and the views of parents
Who decides what money is spent on?
Your foster carer receives money to help pay for the things you need, like food, clothes, activities, and toys. As you get older, you will have more chances to help choose how money is spent and learn about saving for things you would like.
How do I get new clothes?
Your foster carer will make sure you have clothes, shoes, and other things you need. As you grow or your clothes wear out, they will help you get new ones.
What about school uniform?
If you move to a new school, help is available to get your school uniform. Your foster carer will make sure you have the clothes you need for school.
Do I get pocket money?
Yes! Children and young people in foster care usually get pocket money. The amount depends on your age. Your foster carer can explain how much you will get and help you learn about spending and saving.
Do I get money for my birthday or special celebrations?
Yes! Your foster carer receives extra money to help celebrate important occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas, or other special festivals and celebrations.
Can I have my own bank account?
When you're older, you may have your own bank account. This can help you learn how to save and manage your money.
Can I get my hair done by a hairdresser?
Yes. It is important that you feel happy and confident with your hair. If you need a hairdresser who understands your hair type, culture, or specific needs, the adults supporting you will help make sure this is arranged.
Your social worker and foster carer will help you put together a life story book once you have settled into your new home. This will help you understand your reason for being in foster care and help you feel more positive about being looked after. It’s your book and it’s something that you get to keep forever.
See the Life Story Work section
Download The Life Story Work PDF
The Truth Team
Barnardo’s Advocacy Service (CAPs) recently asked children to complete a brief questionnaire
30 young people completed the questionnaire. The young people who gave feedback were aged 10 and above (including care leavers,) they were in placements in area and out of area. They lived in a variety of settings.
Young people were asked:
What answers they wish they had known before they came into care and what advice would be good for young people in care to know?
They had three important messages:
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Tell your Social Worker about any ideas that you might want to try.
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Get to know your advocate.
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Think of ideas of who you can talk to rather than bottling things up.