A Social Worker is the person who works with you, your family and your carers. He or she will try their best to make sure that your life is good. They will work with other people to do this.
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Why do I have a Social Worker?
It is important that you have one person who will keep in contact with you and make sure that you are okay. A Social Worker will work with you to make sure that you have a Care and a Placement Plan and that you are receiving the care that you need. Your Social Worker is there to help you and support you. You should not feel worried or frightened to contact your Social Worker to ask for help.
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How often will I see my Social Worker?
If you are living away from home you will see your Social Worker at least every four weeks. You may see them more often than this if you need to. You do not have to wait four weeks to see your Social Worker. If you would like to see them more often you just need to ask.
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What should I do if my Social Worker doesn't contact me or come and see me when they should?
You need to try and contact your Social Worker or speak to another adult, like your teacher or carer, and ask them to contact your Social Worker. If you or another adult cannot get in contact with your Social Worker then you should try and contact their manager. They can be contacted on the same telephone number.
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Will I always have the same Social Worker?
This will depend on the length of time that you are being looked after. Some people will have the same Social Worker until they are old enough to live independently and without any further help from the Council.
Sometimes your Social Worker may change because he/she moves away from the area or changes job; or it may be because you move or are not happy with your Social Worker.
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What should I do if I'm not happy with my Social Worker?
You need to tell someone if you are not happy with your Social Worker. If you do not feel that your Social Worker is treating you fairly or with respect then something needs to be done. You can speak to your carer, your Social Worker, the Children and Young People's Participation Team or even your teacher.
If you do not feel happy to talk to these people then you can speak to somebody who doesn't work for the Council.
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.
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East Riding of Yorkshire Council is made up of different offices, staff and local Councillors. The Council is responsible for arranging a whole range of different services in the East Riding, such as schools and libraries. It is the Council that has the legal duty to make sure children and young people are safe and to arrange for them to be looked after when necessary. The Council then becomes a sort of parent to all the children and young people it looks after. We call this corporate parenting.
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How does the East Riding of Yorkshire Council help me?
By making sure that you are safe, comfortable and healthy. Whenever possible we help children and their families to stay together in their own home. However, there may be a time when your parents are unable to look after you properly. If this happens we will look after you or find other members of your family to look after you. Sometimes we may have to go to court to make this happen.
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Social Care is part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council. It is where Social Workers and residential staff work. Foster carers also link mainly to Social Care. Between them they help children, young people and their families. It is their responsibility to protect and assist children and young people who are in need of our help. This may be because they are at risk of being harmed or are not looked after properly at home. It may be because they have a disability or are involved in criminal activity.
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How will my Corporate Parents look after me?
Your Corporate Parents want you to have the best care possible, the best opportunities for your health, your education and your ambitions. As your corporate parents we want you to be able to enjoy the same things as other people your age.
All children and young people need lots of support and help. The Council must provide that for looked after children and they need to make sure that all their departments, not just Social Care, work together to do this. Foster carers, residential staff, teachers, managers, health care staff and Connexions workers are just a few of the many people who work together - under the guidance of Councillors - to provide you with good Corporate Parenting.
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Councillors are politicians who act on behalf of the views of the people of the East Riding. They are voted to be politicians by people over 18 in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Councillors oversee the way that we are looking after you. If you think things need changing or if no-one is doing anything about your complaint then you can speak your local Councillor.
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