What is the difference between being in residential care and being in foster care?
Residential care is when you live in a children's home and there are a number of other young people living in one house. Staff at the house will look after you whilst you are there.
In a foster home you will live in a family home where one or more adults will look after you.
In some foster homes there will be other young people living there. They may also be foster children or they may be the foster carer's own children. You will become part of the family whilst you are living with them.
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Will I like my foster home?
A foster home is a place where you can be and feel safe. We cannot promise you will like your new foster home but we try our best to make sure that you live with people who will respect your needs and wishes and look after you. Foster Carers are people who have been specially trained to look after young people who cannot stay with their own family. They come from all different backgrounds and are able to provide children and young people with the care they need. Foster carers know that all young people are different and that each child has their own needs. They will do all they can to take care of these needs.
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Will I have my own bedroom?
This will depend on the foster home you are staying in. In some foster homes you will have a bedroom of your own. In others you may have to share with other children and young people. You will have space for your clothes and other things that are important to you. Your bedroom is a place where you should feel safe and private. Your carers may let you put posters and pictures on the walls, but you must check with them first.
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Can I use the phone?
Yes, you should agree with your carer how often they are happy for you to use the phone. You will be allowed to use the phone to contact family, friends and your social worker when you need to do so.
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Will there be rules?
Yes, like in all homes, things work best when everyone agrees the house rules and tries their hardest not to break them.
You and your carers will agree things like bedtime, coming in time, how often your friends can come over and when you can go and see them.
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Why are there rules?
To make sure that your stay with a foster family is a happy one. It is important that you take responsibility for your decisions and actions and how these will affect others. You must consider the feelings and wishes of the people around you.
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What happens if I break the rules?
It is important that you know what happens when you break the rules and also what should not happen when you break the rules. Sometimes you will be told off and advised not to do it again, you may be told to sit by yourself and cool down. You may not be allowed to go on a family outing or activity that is organised. You may miss out on extras like being allowed to stay up after your agreed bed time or you may have to do extra chores. If you damage something you may have to use some of your pocket money to repair the damage. It is important that you take responsibility for your actions.
There are certain things that cannot be done to you if you break the rules like:
- Hitting, smacking, punching and rough handling
- Stopping you from eating or drinking
- Stopping you from getting to sleep
- Stopping you from taking medicine or seeing your doctor or dentist
- Locking you up. However, outside doors and windows will often be locked at night and you can be asked not to go outside during the night.
- Being made to wear different clothing than usual
- Stopping visiting, calls or letters from parents, family, carers and friends.
- Fining you, if you haven't caused damage
If any of the above things happen to you whilst you are living with foster carers you must tell your Social Worker, teacher or another adult as soon as possible. They will not be angry with you.
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Will I get pocket money?
Yes, while you are being looked after you will get pocket money. How much you get will depend on your age. This amount will increase every year. If you need clothes, your carers will buy them for you. They will make sure you have clothing that is acceptable to your religion and culture. If you need toiletries, such as hair care or skincare products, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. your carer will buy these things for you. No-one can stop your pocket money unless:
- You cause damage. If you do this you may have to pay to put the damage right with your pocket money
- You spend money that you have been given for bus fares or dinners on something else. If your money is stopped for any reason this must be explained to you by your carers. Your carers will write this down.
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Will I get any other money?
Yes, other money you will get includes:
- Something on your birthday
- Something at Christmas
Your carers may use this money to buy you a gift
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What should I do if I'm not happy living there?
If you are unhappy living in your foster home then you need to tell an adult like your Social Worker or family member. You can also speak to your foster carers if you are happy to do this. If you do not want to speak to your Social Worker or your foster carer then you can speak to the Children and Young People's Participation Team. They will be able to give you advice and support privately.
Nobody will be told what you say without your permission unless you or someone else is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed. If you want changes to be made they will need to contact your Social Worker at some point and explain to them how you are feeling.
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Can they throw me out?
Yes, they can but only in extreme circumstances, but the problem will usually be sorted out before it comes to that. If things aren't working out between you and your foster carers we will try and sort things out. If things can't be changed then your carers can ask for you to be moved to another home or family.
If you are not happy in your foster home, and we cannot sort things out, then you can also ask to move to another family or home. Foster Carers, Social Workers or staff in the children's home are there to help work things out. However, you will be expected to take some responsibility for your behaviour.
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Who inspects the Foster Home?
Inspectors from the OFSTED inspect the Fostering Service once a year. As part of this inspection you, your foster carer and/or your social worker may be interviewed so that the inspectors can make sure you are being well looked after. If you give permission they will want to talk to you about how your stay with foster carers is going.
These inspectors do not work for the Council.
What happens when I'm old enough to leave my foster home?
When you are old enough and ready to leave your foster home there are lots of things that you will need to think about. Things like, where you are going to live, money, getting around, shopping and lots more. The Pathway Team will give you support to make these decisions. The team help young people aged 16+ who are either leaving care or who already live independently. A Leaving Care Worker will sit with you to talk about your plans and these will be written in a Pathway Plan. For more details on Pathway Plans take a look at the Living Away from Home page. The Pathway Team will be able to give you practical help and information about getting a place of your own. This may be in:
- Supported Lodgings - these are homes which have been OK'd by the Council. You will be living in someone else's home. You will have your own room but will share a bathroom and kitchen with others living in the house. You will be asked to pay something towards this accommodation.
- Hostels and Housing Association Properties
- A private flat
They will also be able to help you with budgeting and managing your money. You may be able to apply for a Grant. This is money that you can use for furnishing your new home. There are certain conditions to this, so you should ask your Social Worker or Personal Adviser.
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Will I like the Children's Home?
A Children's Home is a place where you can be and feel safe.Where possible, we will try to make sure you are staying in a home as close as possible to family, friends and the school you usually go to. We know that all children are different and that each young person has his or her own needs. We will do all we can to take account of your needs, beliefs and values. Your Home should always be warm and comfortable.
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Will I have my own bedroom?
Yes, you will have your own bedroom. This is your private space and other young people living at the house are not allowed in your room without permission. You can protect your belongings by locking your bedroom door when you are not in.
Although you can lock the door of your bedroom, staff at the house can always open these from the outside. This is for your safety. They will always knock and give you time to dress before coming into your room
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What can I do in my free time?
You can play games, read books, listen to music or just sit and enjoy the outdoors. In the house there will be a television, video, computers, board games and books. There is a lot to do; swimming, skiing, bowling, cinema, youth clubs, shopping and lots more. If you already go to particular groups or clubs and have other hobbies, then you may still be able to continue to go to these or even try something new.
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Can I use the phone?
Yes, there will be a telephone that you can use privately to ring family, friends or those who you are allowed to contact. Before you use the phone you should check with staff at the home first.
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Will there be rules?
Yes, like in all homes, things work best when everyone agrees the house rules and tries their hardest not to break them. The house you live in will have certain rules about what you can and can't do. These will be about bed times, times to come in, meal times, how often your friends can visit, going to school and tidying your room.
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Why are there rules?
There are rules in all homes. These rules are to make sure that you and the other people in the house are safe and comfortable. When a number of people are living in one house it is important that everyone tries their best to listen to and respect the other people in the house. It is also important that everybody takes responsibility for their behaviour.
It is very important that all young people take responsibility for their decisions and actions and that they consider how these may effect others. To make sure that your stay in the Children's Home is a happy one, you will need to make an effort to respect the feelings and wishes of other people.
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What happens if I break the rules?
It is important that you know what might happen when you break the rules and also what should not happen when you break the rules. Sometimes you will be told off and advised not to do it again. You may be told to sit by yourself and cool down. You may not be allowed to go on an outing or activity or you may have your hi-fi removed for a period of time. You may have to do extra chores. If you damage something you may have to use some of your pocket money to repair the damage.
There are certain things that cannot be done to you if you break the rules like:
- Hitting, smacking, punching and rough handling
- Stopping you from eating or drinking
- Stopping you from getting to sleep
- Stopping you from taking medicine or seeing your doctor or dentist
- Locking you up. However, outside doors and windows will often be locked at night and you can be asked not to go outside during the night.
- Being made to wear different clothing than usual
- Stopping visiting, calls or letters from parents, family, carers and friends.
- Fining you, if you haven't caused damage
If any of the above happen to you whilst you are living in a children's home then you must tell your Social Worker or another adult, like your teacher, as soon as possible. They will not be angry with you.
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Will I get pocket money?
Yes, while you are being looked after you will get pocket money. How much you get will depend on your age. This amount will increase every year.
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What about clothes and things?
If you need clothes, we will buy them for you. We will make sure you have clothing that is acceptable to your religion and culture. If you need toiletries, such as hair care or skincare products, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. your home will buy these things for you or will give you an allowance to buy them.
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Can my pocket money be stopped?
No-one can stop your pocket money unless:
- You cause damage. If you do this you may have to pay to put the damage right with your pocket money
- You spend money that you have been given for bus fares or dinners on something else. If your money is stopped for any reason staff must write this down on your pocket money sheet.
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Will I get any other money?
Yes, other money you will get includes:
- Something on your birthday
- Something at Christmas This money will be given to the workers at your Children's Home on your birthday and at Christmas to buy you a gift or to give you the money.
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Will I be given meals?
Yes, you will have regular meals, taking into account any special diet to do with your health, religion or cultural needs.
Meal times are flexible and you can have snacks between meals. You can help choose the meals for the home and your suggestions are always welcome.
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Fire Precautions in your Children's Home
Staff at your Children's Home will tell you about Fire Precautions when you arrive. They will explain to you about what to do if there is fire in the home. The fire alarms in your home will be tested every week and there will a fire drill every month.
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Who will do my washing?
You will always be able to have clean clothes, clean bedding and towels. You will need to hand in your dirty washing.
In some homes you may be shown how to wash some of your own things. Some young people prefer this, especially if they are preparing to live independently.
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What should I do if I'm not happy living there?
If you are unhappy living in your children's home you need to tell an adult like your Social Worker, a worker at the children's home or a family member. If you do not want to speak to your Social Worker or another worker at the home then you can contact the Children and Young People's Participation Team who will speak to you privately.
Nobody will be told what you say without your permission or unless you or someone else is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed. If you want changes to be made they will need to contact your social worker at some point and explain to them how you are feeling.
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Can they throw me out?
Yes they can, but only in extreme circumstances. The problem will usually be sorted out before it comes to that.
If things aren't working out in your Children's Home we will sit down with you and see if we can sort things out. If things can't be changed then we will arrange for you to move to a more suitable home or foster family who will be able to care for your needs better. If you are not happy in your foster home, and we cannot sort things out, then we will try and find a solution, which may mean you move to another family or home.
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Who inspects the Children's Home?
Inspectors from OFSTED will spend one or two days in the home, looking at the building and looking at how staff look after you. They may also want to talk to you about how your stay in the Children's Home is going. These inspectors do not work for the Council. Your Children's Home will also be visited every month by Senior Managers who work for Children's Social Care and by Councillors. Like the Inspectors, they will be looking at the building and how you are being looked after.
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Will I be able to stay in contact with my friends?
We know your friends are important to you so we will try our best to make sure you are able to stay in touch with them. This might be through school, letters, visits, telephone calls, e-mails or you might still be living near your friends.
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When can I see my friends?
If you are staying in a children's home or with foster carers the house you live in is your home; you can invite friends to visit you as long as you check this out with your foster carers or staff at the home. You should check with your carers or staff at the home as to where in the house you are allowed to take your friends. If you want to go out with your friends you should always check with your carers or staff at the home before you go. This is so that they know where you and that you will safe.
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What happens if I don't tell staff or carers where I am going?
It is really important that you tell staff at your home if you live in a Children's Home, or your carers if you live with foster carers, where you are going if you want to go out. If you do go out and don't tell staff or carers then we will try to look for you. If we are unable to find you then we will ring around friends and family to see if you are with them. If we still cannot find you we will contact the police who will help us to find you. This is for your safety.
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What is a criminal records check?
A record is kept of all people who have harmed children or who may be at risk of harming children or young people. We need to check that the people you are going to stay with are not on this list and that they will look after you and not harm you or put you at risk in any way. This is known as a CRB check.
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Why do my friends and family need a such a check?
So that we know you are safe. It is our responsibility to look after you and make sure that you are not harmed or in danger.
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Can I stay over at a friend's house?
You will need to check this out with staff at the home or with your carers before you organise to do this. Like your parents would, they will make a decision whether or not you are allowed to go and stay at a friend's house. If you are going to be staying at a friend or relatives house on a regular basis then the people you are staying with will need to have a Criminal Records check before you can stay with them.
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What happens when I'm old enough to leave my Children's Home or Foster Carer?
When you are old enough and ready to leave your Children's Home there are lots of things that you will need to think about. Things like where you are going to live, money, getting around, shopping whether you will still go to college or university, where you will be working and lots more.
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Who will help me sort everything out?
The Pathway Team will give you support to make these decisions. The team help young people aged 16+ who are either leaving care or who already live independently. A Leaving Care Worker will sit with you to talk about your plans and these will be written in a Pathway Plan. For more details on Pathway Plans take a look at the Living Away from Home section.
You can contact the Pathway Team by calling 01482 396666
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Where will I live?
When you feel you are ready to leave home the Pathway Team will be able to give you practical help and information about getting a place of your own.
This may be in:
- Supported Lodgings - these are houses which have been OK'd by the Council. You will be living in someone else's home. You will have your own room but will share a bathroom and kitchen with other young people living in the house. You will be asked to pay something towards this accommodation.
- Hostels and Housing Association Properties
- A private flat or shared house They will also be able to help you with budgeting and managing your money. You may be able to apply for a Grant. This is money that you can use for furnishing your new home.
There are certain conditions to this, so you should ask your Social Worker or Personal Adviser.
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