What to expect while you're being looked after

Use this guide to help you understand what to expect while you’re being looked after in care.

When can I see my friends and family?

We always want to make sure that you can keep in contact with your family, friends and carers where it is safe for you to do so.

Your social worker will talk to you about how and when you will see your family. You, your social worker and the people looking after you will decide together when, where and how you will keep in touch with your family and friends. Your feelings and wishes will be listened to before this is decided.

Remember that your social worker can stop you seeing your parents if it is too unsafe for you to see them. You can talk to your social worker about this if it happens.

What is a contact order?

Sometimes, the court will make a decision about how often you should see or speak to your family, or sometimes a friend. This is called a contact order. This can say that you should not see a certain person. Sometimes it can say where and when you might see certain family members or friends, and who else should be there with you. A contact order is made to protect you and make sure that you are always safe.

If your contact order says that you should see a family member or friend but this is not happening, then you should make a formal complaint. You can apply for a contact order if there is not one in place, to make sure that you can see your family or friends. It is always very helpful to mention these kinds of worries in your review meeting so that your social worker can arrange this for you.

Once you're 16, you can choose if you want to see your family. We can’t stop you from doing this when you are 16 or older.

You may be able to keep in contact with your family by:

  • them visiting you - sometimes a trusted adult will need to be there with you to make sure that you are safe at all times
  • writing letters - you may be able to send them photos and pictures too
  • phone calls - you may be able to talk to them on the phone.

It is important that you tell your social worker about family or friends that you want to see or talk to. You don’t have to have contact with someone if you don’t want to. If you want to see someone that you are not seeing, you can tell your social worker and they can try to organise this for you if it is safe for you to see them. Remember that contact plans can be changed. Just talk to your social worker about this.

Sometimes, the court might make a decision about how often you can or can’t see your family. If you are not happy with this, please talk to a trusted adult. It is important for you to have your say.