If you are looked after by the council

Being 'looked after' means that, for some reason, you can't live with your own family.

It could be for a short time while you and your family get some help to cope with a particular problem. It could be for a long time because there is a serious problem that means you can't go home at all. It depends on individual circumstances.

Whatever the situation, we are here to support you and make sure you get any services you need.

If you are looked after, your social worker will always try to work with you, your family and your carers to do what is best for you. They will also listen to what you say and will try, where they can, to do what you want for your future.


Let us know your views

We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to comment on children's services in general. Your opinions help us to make decisions about what services to provide, so if you've got a view, make it known! Ring the Children's Rights Service on 0800 0152 443.

If you have a complaint, you can also contact our Customer Relations Team.


Your rights when you are looked after

You have a right to:

• A home where you are safe and well cared for
• A named social worker
• Regular contact with your social worker by telephone, e-mail if you have internet access and visits to your placement
• A placement agreement and care plan - these say what we will do for you
• A regular review meeting where you can have your say about plans for your future
• See all the papers from your review, including your personal health plan
• Any special support that you need to help you achieve your potential
• An independent person to support you if you are unhappy with plans for your future
• Be consulted about the services you receive, including where you are living
• Where it is possible, be placed with any of your brothers and sisters who are also looked after
• Have contact with your birth family, or other important people, if it is in your best interests and you want to stay in touch with them
• Have your needs met with regard to your culture, language, sexuality and any disability you have
• Have your educational, health and emotional needs met
• Be supported and encouraged to develop independence, friendships and leisure interests
• Be supported by the Council until you are 18, and until 21 and beyond if you are in full-time education
• Be prepared for living independently when you leave care at 18+
• See what is in your file (although for legal reasons, we may have to keep parts of it private)
• Make a complaint if you're not happy with the support you get

Your social worker should:

• Work with you, your carers and, where appropriate, your parents to make plans for your future
• Visit you at least every six weeks during the first year you are looked after and at least every three months after that. You can also ask to be seen between scheduled visits
• Get to know you, spend time with you, listen to you and be there for you
• Make sure you are being treated well
• Help you to keep in touch with your carers, relatives and friends or explain why this is not possible
• Help you to get the most out of your education
• Make sure you receive any health care or advice you need

Where you will live - finding the best placement for you

Newham Placement Services will find you somewhere to stay if you need to be looked after by social services. They may find a foster placement or, if you are older, a residential placement.

If you will not be able to return to your own family, they will try to find you a home with a permanent foster carer or with adoptive parents.

Placement services always try to work with you, your family and with your social worker when making decisions about the best placement for you. They will try to find a placement in the borough if one is available but unfortunately this isn't always possible.


Looked after reviews

You are entitled to regular reviews of your care plan while you are looked after. Newham's reviews are run by experienced social workers who are independent of the council.

The review will look at:

• How you are doing in your placement
• Your health and education
• Your contact with family and friends
• Your Care Plan
• Anything else that you would like to talk about

Your first review should take place within one month of you moving to your placement, and the second should be three months later. After that, your reviews should be every six months.

They will usually be held in the afternoon or evening so you don't miss school, and they will usually be at your foster placement or your residential home.

A review is for you and about you and you should always be invited along. In addition there will be your foster carer (and their supervising social worker) or key worker, your social worker, your birth parents and possibly your teacher or learning support worker.

Other people may attend such as your solicitor if there are legal proceedings, or health workers.