We all have rights and a responsibility to respect the rights of others. The Children Act, by law, is there to make sure that you as a care leaver are treated fairly.

Your rights include:

    • The right to be helped by Social Services if you are in need of help and support
    • The right to healthcare and education.
    • The right to protection if you are being or have been mistreated or harmed.
    • The right to see what is written about you.
    • The right to have contact with family and friends.
    • The right to complain.
    • The right not to be punished in unacceptable ways when you have been sent to live away from home.

Leaving care

You are no longer in care once you reach the age of 18 but Social Services have to continue to offer you help until you are 21 years old (or 24 if you are in full-time education).

When you are 16 years old, Social Services have to appoint a ‘Personal Adviser’ to ensure you will have the help that you need. You and your Social Worker and /or Personal Advisor will prepare a ‘Pathway Plan’ which comes into force when your Care Plan ends. Your ‘Pathway Plan’ will cover aspects of your life such as accommodation, education (school or college), financial support etc. Your ‘Pathway Plan 'must be completed within three months of your 16th birthday at the latest.

To see what support you are entitled to please contact your local Social Services. You can find out the telephone number of your local authority by ringing 118 500. If your Social Worker is not there and you need to speak to someone, you can ask to speak to the ‘duty’ Social Worker who should be able to help you.

www.carelaw.org.uk - An information site for young people in care in England and Wales. It covers many topics, from your rights in care to what happens when you leave care. It also explains how the law is different if you are ‘accommodated’ as opposed to being under a care order.

If you want to talk to someone to help you understand your rights, call Voice for the Child in Care, a national charity that works with young people to speak up for them and support them in improving their lives.
Voice for the Child in Care, Head Office, Unit 4, Pride Court, 80-82 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF. Free helpline: 0808 800 5792 www.voiceyp.org